Effective decision making means that you can "make things happen," instead of just "letting things happen." Decision making can be hard as almost any decision involves conflicts or dissatisfactions. Avoiding decisions often seems easier. Successful decision making means making a choice. The difficult part is often to pick the right solution amongst very good alternatives. Yet, decision making is a key component to your time management skills and how you keep control of your time and your success! You can easily improve your decision making skills by:
1. Analysing the problem. Gather as much facts as possible. What is exactly causing the problem? Why should it be solved? What are you addressing? What resources are needed?
2. Listing all alternatives. Generate ideas for possible solutions. List the pros and cons of each alternative, using your standards and judgement criteria. Which one offers you the best course of action? Why?
3. Drawing up an Action Plan. Once you have made the decision, put it into action and execute your plan. Transform your decision into a specific plan of action. Define the steps needed. Identify the final step and work backwards. Create specific initiatives at each step to facilitate focus and organise the resources you might need.
4. Being objective in viewing the problem that demands decisions. Try to avoid making decisions when you are upset, tired, or under great stress. Be objective and specific. Focus on solving the problem, not on your emotions.
5. Developing sensitivity to the individual responses of persons affected by the decision. Personalities differ, and best to be aware of the kind and amount of impact on individual persons as a consequence of a decision.
6. Evaluating your results. What lessons can be learnt? Evaluate the outcome of your decision and action steps to determine its effectiveness and create habits to reduce time in decision making in the future. This is an important step for further development of your decision making skills and judgement. Some management decisions can be made on a routine basis until your situation changes.
7. Accepting the responsibility. After you make a decision, you need to accept the responsibility and consequences for making it. You need to be willing to live with it.
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