According to research, we make thousands of conscious decisions each day and they continue to increase on a daily basis as our responsibilities increase. It may sound quite overwhelming when you think about it, but try to observe yourself from the moment you wake up in the morning until you get ready for bed at night and you will realise that you did make a multitude of choices in just one day.
Decision making can be a little tough sometimes, and each decision entails certain consequences. We have the freedom to pursue our goals in life and to exercise control over things that are significant to us, however, we also need to be mindful and do our best to develop the ability to anticipate the many possible outcomes of our actions and most of all, be accountable to what we do and even what we fail to do.
Here are some tips that you can follow to make better decisions carefully and successfully:
Handle Regrets and What Ifs
We are not perfect. When we’ve made the wrong decision that we are not proud of, we feel terrible and wish we could turn back time in order to correct our mistakes. It’s difficult to let go of regrets but there is no use crying over spilled milk. We can’t go back and change the past, but sometimes the wise option is to accept things as they are and move forward as best we could.
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“When one can accept that all their circumstances and life events are a result of their decision making, that individual immediately gains back their power to create.“
Change Your Perspective, Change Your Life |
Weigh Pros and Cons
When it comes to making major life decisions, we need to be more cautious to prevent potentially catastrophic complications in the future. It’s best to take our time and think it through. It’s not easy to tackle the decision-making process with confidence, especially when we’re about to explore the unknown but we can always rely on weighing up the pros and cons and sorting through the alternatives.
The Pros and Cons Decision Model is very straightforward – it’s all about listing down all the specific details and reasons behind your choices. Analyse the advantages and disadvantages. Ask yourself, are the risks worth taking? When it comes to completing this exercise, keep in mind that it’s very important to stay true to yourself. With an open mind, trust that you would eventually make the best decision for yourself.
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“When making a decision of minor importance, I have always found it advantageous to consider all the pros and cons.“
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Know when to NOT make a decision
There are certain circumstances when it’s not safe to make decisions, particularly complex ones. Emotions tend to affect the way we think and behave and usually cloud judgement, therefore preventing us from making rational choices. To be more in control, use the HALT method to proactively deal with the urge to act impulsively. You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain.
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“Use the H.A.L.T. method. Never make a decision when you are Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired.“
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As we make more decisions in life, we become wiser and braver. Our maturity and positive attitude ultimately brings us one step closer to success!
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“Oftentimes, the most important decisions are the most difficult to make –
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