Are You a Good Decision Maker?

Decisions, decisions, decisions. It seems like every time we turn around, we have to make more decisions. The question is, “Are you a good decision maker?” If you aren’t (or don’t think you are), there is no need to worry. Decision making is a skill that can be learned by anyone.

Although some people may find this particular skill easier than others, everyone applies a similar process. There are two basic kinds of decisions: those that are arrived at using a specific process and those that just happen.

Although both kinds of decisions contain opportunities and learning experiences, there are definite advantages to using a specific process to make a decision. The most obvious advantage is the reduced level of stress you will experience.

Wise decisions are made using a definite process. They are based on the values and perceptions of the decision maker and include carefully considered alternatives and options, along with periodic reassessments of the decision and its effects.

Wise decisions may or may not follow societal norms and expectations, but they are right for the decider based on what he/she knows at that point in time about his/her options as well as him/herself.

Ten Steps to Wise Decision Making

This process can be applied to any situation where you need to make an important decision. If you follow these 10 basic steps, you will find yourself making wiser decisions in your professional as well as your personal, life.

1. Define, as specifically as possible, what the decision is that needs to be made.

• Is this really your decision or someone else’s?
• Do you really need to make a decision? (If you do not have at least two options, there is no decision to be made.)
• When does the decision need to be made?
• Why is this decision important to you?
• Who will be affected by this decision?
• What values does this decision involve for you?

2. Write down as many alternatives as you can think of.

• Brainstorm as many different alternatives as you can imagine.
• Let your imagination run free and try not to censure anything; this is not the time to be judgmental.
• Just be sure to write everything down.

3. Think where you could find more information about possible alternatives.

• If you only come up with a few alternatives, you may want to get more information. Additional information generally leads to more alternatives.
• Places where you can look for the information you need include friends, family, clergy, co-workers, state and federal agencies, professional organizations, online services, newspapers, magazines, books and so on.

4. Check out your alternatives.

• Once you have a list of alternatives, use the same sources of information to find out more about the specifics of each option. You will find that the more information you gather, the more ideas will pop into your head. Be sure to write these down and check them out.

5. Sort through all of your alternatives.

• It is time to begin evaluating them to see which one works for you.
• First, write down the values that would come into play for each alternative.
• Second, look for the alternatives that would allow you to use the greatest number of your values.
• Third, cross the alternatives off the list that do not fit into your personal value framework.

6. Visualize the outcomes of each alternative.

• For each remaining alternative on your list, picture what the outcome of that alternative will look like. It helps to write down your impressions.

7. Do a reality check.

• Which of your remaining alternatives is most likely to happen? Cross off those alternatives that most likely will not happen to you.

8. Which alternative fits you?

• Review your remaining alternatives and decide which ones feel most comfortable to you.
• These are your wise decisions. If you are very happy about a decision, but are not as comfortable with its possible outcome, this is a clue that this is not a wise decision for you.
• On the other hand, you may dislike an alternative, but be excited about the possible outcome. This decision probably would not be wise for you, either.
• If you feel you can live with both the alternative as well as the possible outcome, this is the wise decision you should follow.

9. Get started!

• Once you have made your decision, get moving on it. Worrying or second-guessing yourself will cause only grief. You always have the option of changing your mind in the future.

10. How is it going?

• Be sure to review your decision at specified points along the road.
• Are the outcomes what you expected? Are you happy with the outcomes?
• Do you want to let the decision stand or would you like to make some adjustments?
• If the decision did not come out the way you planned, go through the complete decision-making process again.

Common Decision-Making Mistakes

As much as we would like to believe that we do not have any prejudices or biases, the fact is that everyone does. The more aware you are of yours, the better off you will be. The main reason everyone has their own way of viewing the world is because our brains simply cannot take in everything, at least not on a conscious level.

Have you ever tried to learn ten new things all at once? If you have, you know it’s easy to become overwhelmed and end up learning little. That is because of the way the brain works. Our brains screen and categorize information so that we can understand the world around us without being overwhelmed by it.

We get into trouble when we fail to realize that many of the perceptions we hold are based on what society (i.e., parents, teachers, the church, all institutions, etc.) teaches us, not what we actually know to be true. Below is a list of five common decision-making mistakes. By learning about these pitfalls now, you will be able to avoid them in the future.

1) Relying too much on expert information.

• Experts are only human and have their own set of biases and prejudices. By seeking information from a lot of different sources, you will get much better information than if you focused all of your energy on only one source.

2) Overestimating the value of information received from others.

• People have a tendency to overestimate the value of certainindividuals in our society and underestimate the value of others. For instance, experts, authority figures, parents, high-status groups, people who seem to have it all together and people we respect have a way of swaying our opinion based simply on the fact that we believe they know more than we do.
• When you find yourself doing this, ask yourself:  
• Do they know as much about this problem as I do?
• Are their values the same as mine?
• Have they had any personal experiences with a problem like mine?
• In other words, keep their opinions in perspective.

3) Underestimating the value of information received from others.

• Whether we realize it or not, we also have a tendency to discount information we receive from individuals such as children, low-status groups, women (yes, believe it!), the elderly, homemakers, blue-collar workers, artists, etc. This is unfortunate since many times these groups can paint a good picture of the other side of your problem. Make a note that if you find yourself discounting the information you receive from anyone, ask yourself why.

4) Only hearing what you want to hear or seeing what you want to see.

• Try this exercise. Ask a friend to look around him and make note of everything that is green. Now, have him close his eyes. Then ask him to tell you what around him is red. Almost everyone you ask will not be able to tell you what was red because they were focusing on what was green.
• Our perceptions work the same way. If we have expectations or biases that we are not aware of, we tend to see what we want to see. Likewise, if someone tries to tell us something we do not want to hear, we simply do not hear him or her. The key is to be aware of your own prejudices and expectations, while at the same time staying open to everything that comes your way.

5) Not listening to your feelings or gut reactions.

• Have you ever made a decision only to have it be followed by a major stomachache or headache? This is your body talking to you. Our brains constantly are taking in more information than we can consciously process. All of this extra information gets buried in our subconscious.
• Although we may not be able to retrieve this information, our body stores it for us until it is needed. In moments when we need to make a decision, our bodies provide clues to the answer through feelings or gut reactions. Unfortunately, our society teaches us to ignore these feelings, but by tuning in to your intuition, you will find that you will make much better decisions in the long run.