Find it hard to make decisions? Choose your battles wisely.

In our everyday and professional lives, we are continuously confronted with decisions that have to be made, and an abundance of choices. Some studies even suggest we make up to 30,000 decisions every day. There are countless strategies and models that describe the decision-making process. Some resonate with me more than others. I'd like to share one of my favorite strategies here today:

By ‘Choosing your battles’, you can save your energy and resources to focus on the things that really matter.

Act strategically. Be selective. Don’t fight every little problem.

In professional life, there bound to be challenging situations where you have to convince colleagues, bosses or clients to believe in something. Decisions need to go in your favour. Whether they concern budget approvals, personnel changes, or other policy measures. It's about the little ‘battles’ you ought to fight – and those you can afford to lose.

Knowing the battles to fight is critical to success. But how should you pick them? There are two key questions to ask yourself:

1. What are goals are important to me in the long run?
2. Can I live with other results if decisions don’t go my way?

My advice would be to consider carefully, and well in advance, whether a battle or dispute has any chance of success, whether it’s even worth fighting – and is really that bad if you lose it.

?If a battle can't be won, don't fight it. – Sun Tsu

Try to anticipate the context and of your opponents. Put yourself in their shoes to see which decision makes sense from their perspective.

Change your perspective and ask yourself whether you can go along with this in good conscience. Is it necessary from your point of view? Does it fit in with your personal goals? Could you even benefit? Do you have the necessary budget?

Only ever pick ‘battles’ that have a chance of success. In this way you save energy, spare yourself and others unnecessary arguments and disputes – and avoid defeats.

Sun Tzu once said, “He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.” In life we learn that choosing our battles entails wisdom. When we are selective in our approach, reactions or the confrontations we decide to get involved in, you not only save your time but also appreciate the things that matter most.

As Sun Tsu wisely implied, you shouldn't fight if you can't win. And I think that's a very clever and pragmatic piece of advice. When applied to our everyday working lives, I would further interpret what Sun Tsu in this way:

• Don't rush blindly and rashly into every round of decision-making to achieve a goal.
• Proceed strategically. Try to anticipate whether there is any chance of success.
• If not, then use the time you gain differently. Maybe find a new, different way to achieve this goal.
• Another positive side effect is that you avoid coming over as a troublemaker who jumps into every argument and always wants to be right.

Who was Sun Tsu?

About 2,000 years ago, the Chinese general and philosopher Sun Tsu created one of the most important analysis of warfare and military strategy with his book "The Art of War". Its 13 chapters explore the fundamental factors and elements that determine the outcomes of military engagements.

The book is very well known as you can easily translate these teachings into the modern business and management world. You can, in fact, apply these military strategies in negotiations and tactical procedures. I thoroughly recommended reading it.

Today it is considered a classic analysis of conflict strategy and worth reading for all those who deal with strategy and strategic issues. It is said that the book is still used as a textbook at various war academies and is considered compulsory reading for Brazilian professional footballers.

The next ‘battle’ is usually one of many in a long sequence. As a matter of principle, consider whether you can let go of those issues that are less important to you so you can fully focus on the critical battles. Sometimes it is wiser to let others enjoy small victories and to take the bigger one(s) for yourself.

What is the strategic benefit?

• You focus your actions and concentrate on what is important.
• You save energy and don't waste your time on irrelevant issues.
• You appear prudent because you act skilfully and strategically.

How do I apply this?

• Always approach new and unknown things with an open mind, even if it is difficult.
• See the positive in things, and don't complain if you can't change something.
• Cultivate a positive mindset that radiates a positive aura.

?