Along the road of life, you make many decisions. The decisions you have made will range from the trivial to crucial. What you decide will determine the kind of person you become later. Taking decisions at crucial stages can even affect your future. If you have ever done something only to regret it, and want to learn more on how to make better decisions, read on.
Edson Mwasambwite (Tanzania Gospel Singer)
Steps
1. List all your options on paper or book.
Judgment should not play any role at this point. Simply make a list of all your options, no matter how ridiculous you feel they are. You need to clear all other memories and let your subconscious mind freely come up with new ideas, of your own.
2. Think about each option:
Ask yourself: Do I really want to do this?
- Imagine the consequences. They might not come out exactly as you predicted, but it will give you a better view of what might happen.
- Think about how this will affect others. Would it hurt them, help them, etc.?
- Sort out your feelings about all your choices. In life you have endless line of choices. If you find it hard to feel anything about some of them, then they’re probably not worth your attention. Remember, this is not a logical analysis. You’re simply letting your thoughts come as they will, much in they way you thought about your options.
You’ll be comfortable with some options and uncomfortable with others. Some seem good and some seem wrong. You’re now applying judgment to them. It’s important that you don’t rush to a conclusion. That will only result in an impulsive decision, which is often a bad one. Be patient and take you own feelings seriously.
4. Relate your choices to your priorities.
Create a list of priorities for each question that requires a decision. Write down the list, then put your options against it. If you have well-established priorities, this will be easy. If you don’t, take extra time with this step.
5. Designate your choice.
Most of the time your choice will sneak up on you before you even realize you’ve made a decision. Things should begin to fall together for you at this point. You should feel good about yourself and what you want. This strengthens your confidence in yourself, and strengthens your identity.
6. Register your decision.
Let it become part of you. Discard the other options, let them drift away. At this point you’re putting it all together in preparation for action. Do not backtrack. Keep moving forward towards your final decision.
7. Commit to your decision.
Don’t drag your feet, look back, or wonder. Choice becomes a decision when implementation takes place. Focus your time, energy, self, and purpose on the decision. If you can’t do this and you are still thinking about alternatives, then your decision will be not be good because you’re not able to let go of those other options.
8. Help yourself in every way possible to make your decision work.
Other decisions might have worked just as well, but you have to be loyal and optimistic about the one you've made.
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