Making
decisions is an integral part of our lives. Over time we are made to make decisions, whether great or small, and the outcome could either be harmful or helpful. Decisions take place in schools, families, workplaces, religious centres and even in our own personal lives.
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Decision-making affects us as well as others. You might need to make decisions as a parent,
leader, or independent individual, and it’s very necessary to make the right decisions.
However, many people make wrong decisions not because they chose to, but because they lack the right attitude and skill. In this article, we shall explore 10 ways you can make better decisions.
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Avoid Overthinking
Every decision-making process comes with a level of critical thinking where you’re made to weigh the pros and cons associated with it. However, one of the enemies of sound decision-making is overthinking. Overthinking kills sound decisions because it can cast doubts throughout the thinking process. It keeps you from making a final decision.
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Take Care Of Your Health
It takes a sound mind to make sound decisions. Ensure you prioritise your health –
mental and physical – above everything else. Having a good sleep that lasts between 7 to 9 hours per night can have a great effect on your brain, which helps you in making the right decisions. Also, stay hydrated by taking at least take 5 litres of water daily. It can leave you refreshed and less fatigued.
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Detach Yourself From The Situation
Be an outside observer of the situation. When faced with a decision-making situation, don’t get too attached in the situation. See from an outsider perspective so as not to affect the decision-making process. This will keep from compromising as the case may be. For example, if your coworkers or employees are asking you as a manager to undertake some changes in the workplace, for sake of the business survival, it’s important that you remain open-minded and detached rather than being opinionated. Try to see from an observer point of view.
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Don’t Be Hindered By Your Mistakes
Stay cleer of negative thinking that stems from already committed mistakes. When your mistakes is before you, during a decision-making situation, it might infuse fear in you. Your past is to be learnt from. Look at what led to the mistakes, eliminate the reasons for previous mistakes and make new decisions.
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Examine The Opposite Of Your Decision
At the point of making a decision, it’s important to view other options, especially the opposite side of it. You can apply the scale of preference attitude towards this. Look at the other side of your decision and observe which one wins your confidence.
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Seek Advice
If you’re at a crossroads, it’s advised to seek the counsel of elders, mentors, or people whom you’ve considered experienced enough to guide you. Also, look out for expert advice. You can look out for those who have been in a similar situation and seek their counsel.
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Manage Your Emotions
Be objective as possible when making a decision. Don’t let emotions get in your way when making decisions. Sometimes you can be too excited that you can become unrealistic to see all sides from a holistic point of view. However, when you’re rational and your head is not in the air, you can take concrete decisions bereft of bias. Further, your emotions must not be negatively affected so that your decision is not taken out of fear or anger.
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Weigh Short- And Long-Term Consequences
When coming to a conclusion of making a decision, have at the back of your mind that it carries long- and short-term consequences. Do not get discouraged when the short-term may be unpleasant, but your goal is to make sure that the long-term pays off. For instance, you might need to make a decision of selling one of your prized possession to add up to pay for an additional printing machine in your workplace, which might cost you temporal inconvenience, but the aim is to satisfy your burgeoning customers and keep the business running and profits rolling in.
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Rely On Data
When on the verge of making decisions be armed with data. Work with available data gotten from fieldwork reports, news, newspapers, history and expert projections. This is very key, especially if you’re in a position of making a decision that affects a group. Data arms you with what worked and didn’t work in the past.
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Stay True To Your Values
When making a decision, it’s advisable that you stay true to your values. Don’t compromise your integrity, honesty, and discipline over pressure to compromise. The consequence of going against your values is that it might cost you your peace and happiness. Staying true to your value can help you weigh all options before you and make a confident decision.
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This article was first published on 17th August 2021
nnaemeka-emmanuel
Nnaemeka is an academic scholar with a degree in History and International Studies from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He is also a creative writer, content creator, storyteller, and social analyst.
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