Making the right decision?
It is normal to be confused about important life decisions that entails social, financial, and professional change or consequences. It is also imminent that you freeze and stand still lost in the dilemma of making the right decision that could yield desired results or could leave you at an unwanted risk. We’ve all been there, sometimes it is extremely difficult to conclude a decision from the analysis of information and data in hand no matter how precise or accurate it may be. It even gets more complicated if the information and data in hand are not reliable nor accurate, or the source is not trust worthy or someone you barely know.
No matter what the reasons are, there are always ways that could help you make the “decision making” process easier and bring you closer to the right decision.
For that, we follow the below strategy of four basic steps that could help you reach the best decision possible:
1- Gather sufficient and precise information and data from reliable sources: It is important to gather as much information and data as you can about the topic to the point of saturation. If the gathered data is insufficient or imprecise, you are probably going to have a hard time making the right decision, or you may end up making the wrong one. Additionally, the sources of information is preferably people you trust and know well, and if not, the sources have to be as reliable and as objective as possible. Information and data from unreliable and non-trustworthy people is even worse than having nothing in hands. It can be misleading, and it may complicate things further.
Example, if it is a company, list down your questions and lay them out to the employer to answer them in detail. Ask current employees and ex-employees about their experience in the said company. You can also ask people who know or (worked close) with the company or the hiring manager.
2- Analyse the gathered data: The gathered information and data needs to be effectively analysed using qualitative and quantitative methods to help you get closer to the right decision. Qualitative analysis is conducted using general reasoning, and quantitative analysis is concerned with numbers and scores.
Example, changing your job from one company to another:
Qualitative analysis: You can create a table listing the most important things in a job and answer with a Yes or No. Closed ended qualitative questions are usually more decisive and gives out a firm decision of where and what you want to be.
Quantitative analysis: You can create a table listing the most important things in a job and rate them out of 10. Set a passing score (usually nothing less than 5) and check if the average score passes your set bench mark. Or you can compare scores if decision involves shifting or movement from one point to another, like changing a job.
3- Consult with experts: If you still have doubts, or you just want to be more confident about your decision. I strongly believe that consulting with experts can play a major role in the course of decision making. However, these experts must have a strong background and knowledge about the topic, and those of who you relatively trust that they would provide an objective advise. Experts still needs all what you know and have gathered about the topic to give out a reasonable advise. So it’s critical to be as careful and as objective as possible while providing those details.
Example, if you are looking to continue your higher education in Business Administration, search for trustworthy contacts (Min 2, Max 4) who have been through similar experiences that can tell you more about what you need to know and what to expect.
4. Follow your Heart
If I reach this step of the decision making process, I usually call it quits. I let go and stay where I am if it is a possibility. If it is not a possibility, and you have to make a decision but you are still confused about, then Its time to follow your heart. I know some people would say it sounds cliche or it has no science to back it up. I say, at this point, all you got is your heart. You got to believe that god will always bring you great things if your intentions are good, believe in your self and capabilities, and believe that no matter what happens, you will keep doing and doing with no holding back. Even if things doesn’t go your way, you should be proud of your self of having the leadership skills to lead your self through a well built strategy.
Below are some Do’s and Don’ts following the strategy of making a decision:
Conclusion
Making a decision is tough, having a strategy that bring you closer to the correct decision is the best you can do when you get confused. Our strategy consist of four steps. First, gathering sufficient information and data from reliable sources for analysis. Next analyzing these information and data using qualitative and quantitative methods to get closer to making a decision. Third, take all these information and data to experts whom you trust to ask for advice and guidance. If the first three steps does not work, it’s time to call it quits if possible. If its not possible to walk away and you have to make a decision, your heart is your campus, follow it and do the best you can along the way.