Writen by Al Lipper
There are many methods for making decisions. Some are as simple as trusting a gut feeling, others use complex methods of charts and statistical analysis. I'd like to first share with you a foundation of most methods, followed by a specific technique that many of my clients find very effective. Please keep in mind that the process you choose should be appropriate for the decision being made. It's probably not necessary to go through much of a formal method when trying to decide what to have for lunch. However, when trying to choose which model of car to buy or whether to change careers, a good, solid process is essential. I will leave it to you where to draw the line between formal process and gut feeling, but I will point out that it rarely hurts to err on the safe side of going through a process. One key in any decision process is that it must be written down! We simply can't keep enough details in our head to make good decisions. Next, we need to define what our goals are in making this decision. What do you ideally want to have happen as a result of this decision?
It may be good to list these out in two categories. First, goals that the decision must reach, and secondly, those which would be nice, but which you might be willing to compromise on.
After your goals are defined, write out all the possible options you can think of - that is, possible paths you can decide to take. Even if you don't like an option and are sure you don't want to do it, write it down anyway. Going through this process often sparks new ideas or helps improve existing ones. The next step is to look at each option and write down the results of choosing it relative to your goals. Ask yourself which of your original goals each option will fulfill. Be specific here, and go through each goal, but don't cross any options off yet – that's the next step. Now, we evaluate each of the options based on its results. If one looks pretty bad, this is the time to cross it off. Based on this step, you'll probably have one or two options left. Now is the time to improve your options. Look at what you've considered, can you combine elements from one with another to improve it? Are there other modifications you can make that will create an optimal outcome? Finally, you should have a single, decisive course of action. Write it out clearly. The last step is to commit to following through. You've chosen your best option based on a comprehensive process, try to avoid letting in-the-moment emotions sway your choice. If circumstances change and you do need to revise your decision, go through the process again from start to finish – it will be worth it. While this process seems involved at first, with practice, you can often do it in under ten minutes.
Finally, if you want something even simpler (perhaps for smaller, daily decisions), just write out your goals and options, then simply list the pros and cons of each. It's not as comprehensive, but it often works well enough. In summary, before making any decision, always be sure you know what your goals are in making it. If you want some help in this process, feel free to give me a call or drop me an email – I set aside a certain amount of time each week for giving support (free of charge) to my newsletter subscribers. Is there a decision you need to make in your life right now? Give this process a try.
Al Lipper offers Personal Life and Small Business Coaching services for holistic people seeking life balance, small business professionals, and men's issues. Contact him for a complimentary session to find out how he can accelerate you towards getting the life you want. http://www.destinysuccess.com
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