Many people write to me because they have trouble making decisions. And it is normal, they have educated us so that we do not fail to make decisions, it is not allowed to make mistakes and that prevents us from moving forward if we do not feel safe. Failure is never impossible, and that is why so many people are blocked by fear when they have to make a decision.
Today I bring you 6 steps so that when you have to make a decision, you can do it safely and without fear of error.
What is making a decision
Decision making is the process by which a choice is made between the options or ways to solve different life situations in different contexts: at work, family, sentimental, business level. Making decisions basically consists of choosing an option among those available, in order to solve a current or potential problem.
Decision-making at the individual level is characterized by the fact that a person uses his reasoning and thinking to choose a solution to a problem or question that comes up in life.
As I said in my article "Strategies to overcome fear of failure", fear has a paralyzing effect that prevents us from acting. Instead of letting fear paralyze you, act.
6 Steps to make your decision safely and without fear of error
1 - Identify and analyze
Having identified the problem or reason for the decision objectively, we must ask ourselves what we want to achieve, where we want to go.
2- Identify the decision criteria
See what aspects are relevant, what the decision to make depends on.
Be careful, it is usual to decide unconsciously from personal experience.
3 - Define the priority to address the problem
Based on impact and urgency. Impact describes vulnerability, and the urgency the time to avoid or at least reduce this impact.
4 - Generate solution options
The more options you have, the more likely you are to find one that works. A significant amount of creativity is required.
5 - Evaluate the options
We make a study of each of the possible solutions, looking at advantages and disadvantages, regarding the decision criteria and comparing them.
6 - Choose the best option
The one that according to the evaluation will have better results, will better satisfy the desired objective, and will generate the best possible balance between different goals.
After implementing the decision
You need to evaluate if you are having the expected result. If not, see if it is early to evaluate, or if the 6-step process needs to be repeated.
Although we can never have absolute security in decision making, we cannot postpone or stop making a decision for fear of error. We must learn to de-dramatize. If after applying the 6 steps you do not succeed the first time, do not blame yourself, do not be discouraged and start again.
"Every time I have to make a decision, I make it and forget about it." Harry Truman.
