How do we make a right decision?
How do we make a right decision? Let’s explore. Seemingly small but we are consciously & unconsciously taking decisions every second that shape our lives But are we really even trained to take decisions or understand the science behind making decisions? Not really.
This is because as kids our parents constantly take decisions for us creating a dependency that continues well into adulthood. The issue is that parents in need to control & minimize risks focus on taking life decisions of kids instead of guiding them on how to make decisions
What we are left with is a generation of individuals well into their 30’s/40’s who have never made a decision for themselves in life out of the fear of making a blunder. This fear renders us incapable of being part of the productive economy or having a fulfilling life.
Even those that do make decisions is w/out understanding on what elements & framework to use. In a hyper-material world, decisions are thus made based on absolutes with short-term benefit & quick fixes that deliver short-term reward but a long-term collapse & corruption.
I haven’t really discovered what constitutes a right/wrong decision but I have somewhat learnt through making a lot of right and wrong decisions on what may be the pathway to approach a decision. It all comes down to the following 3 things:
- Right intention: a decision whatever it may be has to be rooted in right intention with a clear heart. The outcomes of all our decisions hence are determined before we even take them at the intention level. This is good b/c we can control the outcome by controlling intention.
- Right information/data: a decision must be based on as accurate & complete information as possible. It won’t ever be entirely complete but try to integrate as many opposing views to ensure a balance. For this one requires to be humble enough to look at unpleasing data.
- Right timing: a decision has to be timely. An excellent but delayed decision is a meaningless decision. Knowing when to make a decision is hardest part of decision making.
Once we've made the decision using the right approach, the outcome doesn't matter - only the decision.
CEO
4 年Your approach is quite positive toward decision making. I believe we make some unnecessary decisions too and overburden our brain! I have tried to raise a few points in my article which, if not taken into account, could otherwise give us a sufficient cushion to take long term initiatives and decisions in life. https://dailytimes.com.pk/466869/fatigue-of-making-perpetual-decisions/amp/
Climate Policy Researcher | PhD Candidate, Urban Climate Experimentation
4 年I would also add that there's no wrong decision, as long as you're committed to learning from what went wrong in order to improve on your next decision. And in general adopt an attitude that failure is probably one of the best occurrences for rapid, deep, and memorable learning. (So, I think that most times taking a decision, even if it would turn about to be "wrong", is better than not to take one at all).