Our goals depend on the daily decisions we make. Therefore, it is important to develop a good decision-making habit with the help of these simple tips.
What is good decision-making?
Good decision-making is the ability to make a sound and timely decision based on the available facts and resources.
It is the ability to choose the best option after careful consideration. And weighing the advantages and disadvantages of each available option.
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Importance of good decision-making
Every day, we are confronted with a slew of options from which to choose. From deciding what to wear in the morning, what to eat for lunch, or which route to take to work.
And then there are the business decisions we need to make. For example, deciding whether to keep a specific supplier, move forward with a software upgrade, or accept a joint-venture project.
All of this requires close attention and sound decision-making skills.
As a result, it is critical that we develop the ability to make well-thought-of decisions. And to make it a habit.
Other equally important reasons for good decision-making skills in our personal and professional lives include:
- Taking action.
- Improved confidence in your abilities.
- Improved leadership abilities.
- The opening of new doors to new opportunities.
- Giving you the ability to face challenges and difficulties.
- Enhancement of your processes or systems.
- Attainment of goals and objectives.
What does decision-making involve?
Decision-making is a process that involves knowing your goals, identifying the options available, weighing the pros and cons of each option through research. And then finally choosing the best option.
Additionally, decision-making will require reviewing the outcomes of the decision made.
A good decision is one made through the process, belief in your ability to make a good decision, and sticking with the decision.
How to make good decision-making a habit
Admittedly, the final act of deciding which option to pursue is nerve-racking. Because it entails not knowing the final outcome or the consequences of the decision you are about to make.
Know however that, in making a decision, one key factor is your belief in your abilities.
So, trust yourself and your abilities in making good decisions. Know that you have the experience and the knowledge. And that you have gone through the process of goal setting, option identification, and careful consideration of all the choices before making a decision.
Therefore, whatever option you choose, remember that it is the best option at the given time and given facts, so stick with it.
Additionally, It will also help a lot if you have the habit of making good decisions down pat.
Developing a good decision-making habit
Here are some ways to help you make a habit of good decision-making:
Never delay
Prolonging making a decision results in a loss of resources and missed opportunities. So it is imperative that you impose a deadline on yourself to make a timely decision.
Know your facts
Part of the process of good decision-making is knowing the facts. So always take time to do your research.
Get available data on the available options. List also the pros and cons of each option. This will help you in weighing all your options better.
Alternatively, you can also ask for other people’s professional opinions, reviews, and recommendations.
Limit your options
After you have gathered all the facts and figures on all your available options, rank them down. Then select only the top 3 options.
Limiting your options will help you avoid analysis paralysis. Also, reducing your options allows you to make a much more informed decision and ultimately choose the best option.
Accept and learn from your mistakes
It is inevitable that some of our decisions in life will not yield the best results. And all we can do is accept the mistake and learn from it.
This mindset will provide you with a better perspective and will help you make the right decision at the right time.
Decide based on your values
Aside from experience and knowledge, your values will also assist you in making decisions.
They will be relevant when it comes time to make a decision. Your values will guide you in determining whether the available option aligns with what you believe in.
Repetition makes the habit
Using the methods outlined above to make a decision will help you develop the habit of making sound decisions.
Train your brain to go through each process with each decision you have to make. This gives you the opportunity to learn and become a better decision-maker.
Repetition of the decision-making process will develop a habit. It will make your decision-making task much simpler.
Tips for good decision-making
Good decision-making is undeniably the most essential habit you can develop. Especially at work.
The choices you make affect your overall health, relationship, safety, and your priorities. As such, it is best to keep in mind the following when you need to make a tough decision.
Know your most productive time
Because mental energy is a finite resource, it is important to recognize when your energy is at its highest. Then, schedule your critical decision-making tasks in that time frame.
This way, your mind is operating at peak efficiency. And you are more likely to make sound decisions.
Remove or limit distractions
Without a doubt, the technology we have today has provided us with enormous benefits and convenience. However, it has also created a barrage of information that we have to process. As a result, our mental energy gets depleted even further.
So, to conserve energy, limit your screen time on social media, streaming services, news, and even emails. You can also turn off your phone when you are working on important tasks.
Stop multitasking
Doing several tasks at the same time is counterproductive. It certainly divides your focus and also the effectiveness of your decision-making.
So when faced with an all-important task that needs a decision, set aside a time block. And concentrate solely on the task at hand.
Pay attention to your emotions
Extreme emotions, such as anger or happiness, have been shown in studies to impair decision-making. Therefore, awareness of your emotional state is essential when faced with a difficult or important decision.
When experiencing uneven emotions, take time to clear your mind. Take a break. Go out for a short walk. Return to your task when you are more focused and level-headed.
Summary
To summarize, a good decision-making habit is important because it helps you to arrive at a sound and timely decision that will have an effect on your personal or professional goals.
Look into the following ways for you to develop a good decision-making habit:
- Never delay,
- Know your facts,
- Limit your options,
- Accept and learn from your mistakes,
- Decide based on your values.
Furthermore, to make good decisions, it also helps to keep in mind the following:
- Know your most productive time,
- Remove or limit distractions,
- Stop multitasking, and
- Pay attention to your emotions.
Please share your thoughts or ideas about Simple Tips On How To Develop A Good Decision-Making Habit in the comments below. And if you liked this article, you might be interested as well in these articles:
Why Good Habits Beat Motivation
How To Define Yourself By Your Habits
9 Simple Habits You Can Learn From Vampires
9 Effective Habits For A Happy Life
Building Good Habits For Your To Be
How To Break 9 Bad Habits That Keep You Down
7 Tips On How To Develop A Persistent Habit
Outside references:
The 5 Habits of Highly Effective Decision-Makers
7 Habits to Making Decisions
