Keys to Effective Decision Making
Making an effective decision is not as easy as it sounds. In fact, decision making is required in everything that we do on a daily basis. There may be others who evade making decisions by turning to someone trusted for information and recommendations. Some even resort to taking votes or tossing a coin and are contented with that kind of random decision making process.
But first, let’s look at what is decision making? Simply put, decision making is the process or action of choosing from two or more probable courses of action. However, you have to understand that no matter how much effort you put into it, the decision you make may not always be the best choice. In reality, it is inevitable that even the best choices were not even considered because they were not apparent at that time. Because of this, it is necessary to keep a record of all the decisions we make to be able to help us deal with the same circumstances in the future. While it may not correct the mistakes we’ve done in the past, by doing this, we can improve our choices leading to better and more desirable results in the future.
Knowing the proper way to go about making decisions is necessary for our daily activities, regardless of the level of importance of each decision, still, we have to know the keys to good and effective decision making.
The Keys of a Good Decision Making
- Firstly, you have to identify or be familiar with the facts surrounding the decision you have to make and be aware of its outcome or consequence. You also have to know your own objectives to consider how to decide.
- Collect all the necessary and helpful facts and information you need in order to achieve the best possible the solution you are trying to obtain.
- Engage in deliberate thinking and providing yourself with as many suitable options as possible. This is essential. Evaluate the options using the information you have gathered.
- Weigh the possible results and the likely consequences. Ask yourself the worst possible outcomes if you choose any of the options and whether you would be able or not to live with the consequences.
- Making a list of the advantages and disadvantages can also be very helpful. Compare each list. Sort out your priorities to determine the most suitable course of action to carry out. SWOT analysis may be useful.
- Turn to the persons you know who can help you evaluate the choices you have made. Make sure they are the ones you can trust and who have ideally already dealt with a similar situation in the past. You’ll be surprised to know that there might be something you forgot to consider.
- And finally, you can now make your decision. Evaluate results and monitor the consequences that follow. You need to desire if you have obtained your desired outcome.
Now you have learned the secrets about how to decide soundly and effectively. Once you become familiar with these steps, you’re not that far from living your life productively and with satisfaction.