7 ways to make the right decisions

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

How many bad decisions have you made in your life? No one is immune from mistakes, but there are some tips to help you make the right choice.

Risky decisions about careers, relationships, even about fashion trends - many of us make thousands of wrong decisions in our life. It seems that we are learning from our mistakes, but even if you suffer from a wrong decision, it is not a fact that you will not repeat it again in the future. Fortunately, there are several ways to avoid mistakes.

Despite the fact that one of the smallest parts of our brain is responsible for making decisions (this was discovered during the study by scientists from the University of British Columbia), and we often repeat the same mistakes, there is still hope. A little practice, a little more awareness, and you will learn how to make the right decisions.

1. Look for the correct information

Our decisions are strongly influenced by information from external sources, including from so-called experts. To make the right decision, you need to make sure the information is up to date and accurate.

Find the courage to question authority opinion, ask questions, and learn everything you can from a variety of sources.

Cut in a skeptic and never believe everything they tell you.

Consider different points of view - this reduces the risk of being wrong.

2. Avoid common mistakes

If you have any chronic mistakes in decision-making, for example, “there was no time to think” or “I was told so, but it turned out differently,” next time pay close attention to them.

Another common mistake is to rely on what “worked before,” or remembering your past success when making a new decision. Each case is individual, and it must be considered separately, taking into account all the information and perspectives.

For example, we can cite the first book by J. K. Rowling "Harry Potter". She sent the book to publishers in the US and UK, and they refused to print it because they "knew" that the book would not be sold. Before that, books of this size, books for boys and fantasy books sold poorly, but, as we know, the Harry Potter books have become bestsellers. So, as you can see, sometimes the standard solutions are not the best.

3. Look into the past

People often do not learn from their mistakes because it is emotionally difficult - they will have to face a forgotten problem again.

But if in your life there were a series of mistakes and problems, it is worth carefully considering them and remembering how you made a decision at that moment.

This will really help you learn from your mistakes, and not step on the same rake, forgetting past failures, so as not to get upset.

4. Track yourself

Many decisions are made under the influence of the environment or one's own feelings. For example, it has been observed that when investors are presented with information in red tones, it is treated better than if the same information is presented in green tones.

Another observation shows how your own feelings affect the decision. It has been proven that when judges are hungry, they pass harsher sentences than in the afternoon.

In fact, there are a great many such sensations and environmental factors, but if you become aware of them, they will cease to influence your decision.

So, before you choose something, assess your state: how hungry, tired, nervous you are, how the environment affects you - maybe you should go to another place so that there is no stress and pressure.

For example, before borrowing new home appliances, try to think about it at home when there is no annoying salesperson or loan officer near you.

5. Take care of yourself

Getting enough sleep is essential to making the right decisions. When you are tired or not feeling well, making the right choice is more difficult.

6. Leave time for reflection

Every day we are attacked by a huge stream of tasks and distractions, and we often make decisions in multitasking mode - between checking our email and replying to a message on social media.

Leave yourself time to think calmly, without being distracted by anything at all. About half an hour a day will be devoted only to meditation and nothing else.

This is especially important for creative people and leadership positions, and very often this is the time when the best solutions and ideas come in.

7. Analysis is everything

If you didn't get exactly what you wanted, that doesn't mean your decision was bad. It so happens that even the best decisions can lead to failure.

The main thing is to consider your case in detail, and use this lesson so as not to be mistaken next time.