Many people have been waiting for years to get ahead in business or to finally find the love of their lives. What makes them different from those who made their dreams come true is the fact that they wait. People are divided into those who wait for opportunities and people who create opportunities. The basic requirement for being in the latter group is the ability to ask for something for ourselves and say “yes” without being ambivalent and indecisive – even at the cost of doing it wrong.
Decision – making exercise
The misconception of indecisiveness should be addressed first. People who live with a problem for a long time begin to believe that it is part of their character and do not even dare to change anything, thinking they are simply as such. To change this attitude, it is good to exercise determination in less significant situations. To begin with, it can be the choice of a restaurant or the clothes we wear. Later on, when a person becomes convinced that he or she can become more determined, one should move on to some more significant life decisions. When practicing even small decisions, the first task is to learn to accept the “good enough” options and stop looking for the ideal solution. Afterward, it is necessary to create a habit of making a list of priorities before deciding based on which the decision-making process will be implemented. Often, people cannot choose because they have not previously identified their priorities. Thus, for example, when buying a car, before deciding at all between brands and models, a list of priorities should be created to define what the most important feature is that will determine the choice. If it is determined that the most important feature is the power, then the size and finally the design of the car, deciding between specific models will be significantly facilitated. The same principle of creating a list of priorities before the actual decision-making situation should apply in other situations.
Another common misconception about decision making is that it is in one’s best interest to exclude feelings as much as possible to make a reasonable decision. It is the feelings that make it easier for us to decide when there are too many options. Although many decisions are believed to have been made completely rationally, our intuition plays a large part in this process, nonetheless. The fact that indecisiveness occurs in persons with injuries in the part of the brain in charge of the emotions confirms that feelings have a significant role in the decision-making process.
Another useful habit in situations where we face many options is to postpone seeking other options and advice from others. As in a multiple-choice test, the one who knows the correct answer asks oneself first and then checks to see if there are any answers that he or she can come up with among the offered ones. A similar principle should be applied in life’s decisions because we often seek advice when we know what to do but we do not dare to do it. Therefore, it is recommended that you first consider your feelings about different options and then consult with others and seek advice. Of course, this does not mean that we should close ourselves to other people’s opinions and give up others’ perspectives, but only postpone them.
By exercising determination this way, a person acquires a sense of self-control and competence and strengthens their self-confidence, which makes further decision-making significantly easier. It is sometimes enough to know that we have made the right decision, and even if the decision may not have been the right one, that is, it did not lead to the desired outcome.
Besides, it is important to keep in mind the fact that avoiding decision making and not asking something for yourself, is also one type of decision that comes with certain consequences.
