Following on from last week you are now able to make effective decisions, knowing that they will be affecting the quality and direction of your life and work. Noticing that your decisions are more effective and enable you to avoid stagnation and take on more responsibility.
The first place to start is realising that there are four main reasons people put off making decisions. The reason for avoiding making decisions could be about keeping safe from failure. The fear of failure is a strong driver to avoid stepping out. Let’s have a look at those reasons for avoiding decisions.
1. FEAR
a. Many people are afraid of failing or of making the wrong decision. The only Failure is Failing to Decide – putting off what you know you invariably need to do. The hard part is making the decision; once the decision is made the rest is easy. You need to let go of fear and make a decision even if it’s the wrong one. As you work through it you will either sort it out or change it. The point is, make a decision, move with it and overcome the fear.
2. Uncertainty
a. The illusion most of us have, is that decisions are made based on certainty. The truth is however; most decisions are made based on the greatest probability. There are times that if we wait till we are certain then we will never make a decision and when we do it will be too late. Leaders are paid to make tough decisions and follow through with them.
3. Indecision
a. The best way to become good at making decisions is to make lots of them. Therefore, if you make wrong decisions you will learn more quickly and use the information you have learnt to improve your future decisions.
4. overwhelm
a. Being overwhelmed is often as unproductive as doing nothing.
b. Today, more than ever, we are faced with more information than we have had in previous times. Faxes, emails, mobile phones and all the other sources we have coming to us. We are pressured to make decisions based on information that surrounds us. We need a system for making decisions that will cause us to focus on our outcomes and produce the results that will benefit us most in the long term.
There are three rules in the decision making process. These three steps when followed will give you the opportunity to make decisions effectively and efficiently that will get you moving and keep you moving forward.
Important decisions:
All important and difficult decisions need to be made on paper, write them down. This gets them out of your head and you can evaluate them realistically.
Know Your Outcome – Know Your Purpose
Be absolutely clear about what you want (this is your outcome) and why you want it (this is your purpose). You need to know when you have achieved your outcome, how will it be measured and what will success look like? When you are writing down your decisions, write down the steps for success and what is the purpose for making the decision you are contemplating.
Consequences
Decisions are based on probability. All decisions carry a consequence; that is just what it is all about. What this means is, if you fail to make a timely and intelligent decision your consequences can be severe, however when you make decisions that have been considered and made in a timely manner than the consequences will be known and not unexpected by you.
We have now gone through the reasons for avoiding effective decision-making. The next step is to go through the “Five Quick Steps For Making Effective Decisions”. By following these five steps you will be equipped to make effective decisions and have results in your life and work that reward you for the effort you put in and more.
1. Know Your Outcome
Be absolutely clear about what you want (this is your outcome) and why you want it (this is your purpose). The questions to consider are:
– What is the result you are after?
– Why do you want to achieve it?
You must be clear about your outcome and the purpose for wanting it and there importance to you.
2. Choices
Write and record all the choices you are faced with, even the ones that sound far fetched.
3. Consequences
What are the consequences of each decision you have to make? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each decision you have to make? What is the cost to you and to people who are impacted by this decision?
4. Examine and Measure
Now you know the consequences of your choices, how will they be measured and examined?
– Set a timetable to review and examine your choices and make them measureable.
– What are the effects of your choices?
– How important is your choice in terms of meeting your outcomes?
– What is the probability of the disadvantages and advantages occurring?
– What is the benefit or consequence of each event occurring?
5. Determination
Now you have weighted out all the consequences, decide on the course of action that will provide you the greatest certainty to meet your outcome and desired purpose. Choose the best option and now strengthen your determination to see it through and resolve to make it work. Once you have made this decision, commit to it, no matter what happens this is the option that will win for you. With the outcome decided, design and implement a to-do-list with actions steps to follow.
To know more about making Time Management and how to have success in your life and work email Peter Blasch.
Also to become a Time Management Master, visithttp://www.timemanagementmastery.com.au
I look forward to spending more time with you soon
Cheers
Peter
