Have you ever hesitated to make a decision? Have you ever considered why? Some people spend their whole lives being cautious about the decisions they make concerning relationships, careers, finances, education, even daily activities. They need to do things perfectly and the desire to control the outcome only keeps us stuck. It is like the story of the mules standing between to bales of hay: unable to decide which one to eat, afraid of making the wrong decision, they starve to death. For many having to decide is risky and people fear risk.
Fear of making the wrong decision, is the reason people put off making a decision, instead they make biggest mistake of all: no decision and become stuck where they are. When we procrastinate about decision-making, it can be costly. It can cause people and companies to miss out on great opportunities. The fastest way for a company to grow is take risks. Often, that requires making a decision to do something different and to be ready to accept the consequences. Anytime people are immobilized by the prospect of making a decision, they have forgotten the principle that says it is not the failing that makes a failure, it is the quitting. Failure is a prerequisite to invention. It is important to recognize that there are many types of decisions, specifically reversible and non-reversible ones. Move quickly on reversible decisions to avoid being left without, due to a change in circumstances. Take more time to consider the non-reversible ones, and remember that a decision that seems right today may be wrong tomorrow.
It is important to consider all the options! Defining the alternatives available can be helpful when confronted with a problem or an opportunity Discuss the choices with people who are knowledgeable, supportive, and who will provide valuable feedback regarding the options. Choosing the right alternative at the wrong time is not any better than the wrong alternative at the right time. Examine previous decisions, results and learn from them. Everyone makes some good decisions and everyone makes some bad decisions, but at least they made a decision. By accepting personal responsibility for our lives, we learn from choices we make and we gain wisdom.
Beware of protecting a bad decision. We only need to turn on the news or speak to a colleague to be reminded that some people become so invested in a bad decision that they stick with it regardless of the price they pay personally or professionally. I once heard the saying, “Never protect what you need to correct.” If a bad decision is made, quickly correct it let it go and move on. Once you have made the decision and have started what you are going to do, put the "what if's" aside stand behind it with commitment. Wondering what would have happened without the mistake focuses on the past. We cannot change the past nor can we control the future, all we can control is the moment and how we respond. So refrain from focusing on what should have been, and focus on what is happening now.
Some people expect correct decisions to keep us on course 100% of the time. Actually, correct decisions are exactly that: corrective moves we have made to either stay on course or to get closer to our course. Pilots use instruments to keep the plane on course. If they veer off course due to weather then they simply make a correction to get back on course. Despite the corrections they may need to make, they are on track about 90% of the time. This reminds us that it isn’t the path from here to where we are headed that is important, it is what we do to correct our errors and make better choices that will put on us the right path. Stay flexible, be willing to make decisions, and remember that sometimes, you will have to correct those decisions
