The pink dress or the red one? Chowmein or pasta? Too tough to make a choice? Do you find yourself confused every time you have to make a decision? Whether it is something as small as ordering food or something important like choosing your subjects after 10th, are you indecisive? It can be tough to choose your courses when you have a plethora of options like math, biology, and economics.
So how would you approach making a big decision like choosing a career? There are ways to make tough decisions faster. Whether you’re making small decisions like what to wear or a big decision like what career path to choose, it can be hard to know whether you are doing the right thing.
Decision-making is a process of deciding or selecting a particular course of action, especially when there is uncertainty involved. It is a cognitive process, which means it involves the mental power of a particular individual. While some people are quick decision makers, a lot of us find ourselves in a dilemma every time we have to make a choice. Have heart, let’s introduce you to some simple principles for making better decisions.
Ways to make tough decisions faster
Figure out your needs
Some people have a tendency to get confused between their wants and needs. The two often get interchanged. In situations like these, you need to understand what you want to do right now and what makes more sense at the moment. You can start this by asking questions like, is this something you cannot live without or will it add value to your life. Once you figure out your needs, it will be easier for you to make a decision. Do not make a random decision just because you feel that you are supposed to.
List out the pros and cons
Creating a pros and cons list is one of the easiest ways to make a decision. A list helps you weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks of your choice. With a balanced approach, you’re able to merge that initial frenzy with more rational reasoning. Many people even enjoy making lists before they make big decisions. Whenever at a crossroad, create a listicle listing out the advantages and disadvantages of the decision. The side where positives outweigh the negatives, is the choice you should consider. For instance, if you are stuck between studying abroad or studying in India, list out every impact you think it will have, divided by benefit (pro) and drawback (con). The decision will be much easier.
Try things out
Sometimes things don’t work out because you didn’t give them a try. You cannot make a decision against something if you do not know the essence of it. For example, if you do not try writing, how will you know if writing can be a career path for you or not? Without making mistakes, you cannot filter down to the right job for you. At times there will be risks involved, and you might be induced with fear, but once you have tried it out, your mind will be clear about what you want.
Practice being decisive
When people have trouble making a decision, they often spend the whole day making a decision or end up quitting the task. Try to avoid procrastinating decision making. Start small if you are chronically indecisive. Spend 30 seconds deciding what to eat for dinner, what movie to watch, or whether you want to go out tonight. Follow through with your decision. Repeat. Then move on to bigger things and time yourself on how long it takes for you to make a decision.
Principles for making better decisions
Two qualities will help you make more effective decisions when you face a large or complex situation: logic and openness. Logically assemble your circumstances and learn the facts. By understanding the cause and effect relationship involved in a situation, you can formulate solutions that deal with the root of the problem. Be free of preconceived ideas and prejudices when approaching a new problem. By keeping an open mind, you can creatively develop alternatives from which to choose when making your final decision.
- Identify the problem: Before you make a decision or try to solve a problem, you must first define it. Unclear issues are the reason for not being able to make an appropriate decision. Hazy, nebulous concerns are impossible to resolve, and they frequently result in the emergence of a new problem and stop us from making a decision. Make a list of the issues so you may address them one at a time. It will help you in taking a step towards all kinds of right decisions.
- Gather facts and analyze the problem: To tackle problems duly and come to a decision faster, you need reliable information. If you rush to find a solution and skip this step, you risk creating needless delays and unintended consequences. The more information you have about a problem, the more likely you are to be able to solve it.
- Develop alternative solutions: It is tempting to just act on it when a solution to a problem comes to mind. Although acceptable, the first solution you come up with may not be the best. Take the time to come up with alternate answers, especially if the first solution seems a little unrealistic. Sometimes an innovative approach or out-of-the-box thinking does the trick.
- Choose the best alternative: A majority of problems have multiple right answers. By weighing your options, you can narrow down to a few of the best ones for you. Consider how a solution fits your objectives, how it affects expenses, how much time it takes, what dangers are involved, and what others think. After weighing all your options, choose the option that best suits your needs. For instance, when deciding what food to order when you are part of a group, consider what cuisine is liked by the majority, and then make a choice. You can ask for a vote to keep things simple.
Implementing these principles for making better decisions can help break down enormous challenges into smaller, more manageable chunks. Do not let life get the best of you. Using this tried and true decision-making methodology will boost your confidence in every area of life.
Your capacity to make informed decisions promptly is critical to your personal and professional success. If you need help as you make career decisions, get in touch with LaunchMyCareer. Our internationally certified career coaches help you identify your interests, skills, and aptitude to enable you to make the right choices for your future. Get in touch today!
