Simplify Decisions

Another way we sometimes make the easy into difficult is by overestimating the importance or consequences of a decision.

Here are some simple questions we might ask ourselves (but seldom do) that would help to qualify a decision: How much does it cost? How long is the commitment? Who is involved? Can it be changed later? Answers to these questions and some others can lead us to an intuitive assessment of the risk involved. Malcolm Gladwell says, “Truly successful decision-making relies on a balance between deliberate and instinctive thinking.” You almost never have complete information. You have to rely on instinct, and that’s okay. Of course, the more you know about a topic, the better your instincts are likely to be.

How We Frame Decisions

A third way in which we may complicate a decision process has to do with framing the decision in the incorrect way. Framing is the slant you put on the decision, i.e., the “glass half empty/glass half full” issue. Biases are a natural human tendency, but good decision-makers try to be aware of their biases and compensate accordingly. The way you look at a problem will influence your choices. Consider Woody Allen’s take on it: “More than any time in history, mankind faces a crossroads. One path leads to despair and utter hopelessness, the other to total extinction. Let us pray that we have the wisdom to choose correctly.”

Make Better Decisions

If you’d like to explore how to make better decisions in your business and personal life, join me for a one-hour webinar titled How to Make Better Business and Personal Decisions. You’ll learn a seven-step process for decision-making and gain dozens of other ideas to help you become more efficient and effective in your choices.