Written by: Grace Jones, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Do you ruminate over it for weeks, suffering sleepless nights in the process, or do you toss a coin and leave it to chance?
As a coach, clients often come to me when they're in this position.
The situation they’re facing may be overwhelming, leaving them unsure, confused and uncertain of where to begin.
But why is this?
3 Reasons why people avoid making decisions
Fear. The fear that we’ll make the wrong decision, leading to disastrous consequences.
Information Overload. Sometimes we are just overloaded with too much information and we feel overwhelmed, so struggle to reach a decision. On the other hand, if we don’t have enough information, it becomes almost impossible to make an informed decision, and our indecisiveness feeds our reluctance to commit to one option.
Lack of confidence. Which leads us to doubt ourselves, especially in high-pressure or complex situations. I used to struggle with analysis paralysis, overthinking and overanalysing a decision, to the point that I would become unable to take any action at all – the very worst outcome.
Avoid emotional decisions!
Almost all bad decisions are made when we are feeling stressed, anxious or overwhelmed. In these states, our thinking is not as clear or focussed making it impossible to evaluate options objectively.
It’s a shame we’re not taught decision-making at school, because it is a skill, and as such can be taught and developed. But it wasn’t until I was well into my working life that I got to go on a professional career development course aimed at improving decision-making! The results were amazing and impacted both my working and personal life.
The need to get better at decision-making has never been more relevant, because it plays an important part in building resilience, and the most resilient people I know are also excellent decision-makers.
The link between Decision Making and Resilience.
Resilience is not about what happens to you, it’s about how you respond to those events – the decision that you make as to what to do next. Knowing how to make good decisions provides a sense of control and empowerment, as well as developing those all-important skills of problem-solving, resourcefulness, and adaptability, all of which are related to resilience.
How to make better decisions.
If you have an important decision to make, and you don’t have access to a coach, mentor or other professional, here are some general steps that can help you with your decision-making process:
Identify the decision you need to make Clearly define the decision you need to make and the outcome you are hoping to achieve.
Gather information Collect as much information as possible about the decision, including the options available to you, the potential outcomes, and any relevant data.
Consider your values Think about your personal values and how they might influence your decision.
Evaluate your options Consider the pros and cons of each option and evaluate how each one aligns with your values and goals.
Seek advice and opinions Ask trusted friends, family members, or colleagues, but stick to those who have experience or knowledge in the area of your decision.
Reflect on the consequences Think about the potential consequences of each decision, both short-term and long-term.
Make a decision After weighing all the information and considering your values, choose the option that best aligns with your goals and values.
Take action Once you have made your decision, take action and implement your plan.
Making decisions can be challenging, and when all is said and done, it doesn't guarantee that you will get the outcome you thought you would.
But it can be a valuable experience and build your resilience. If it doesn’t turn out as you’d hoped you will have learned a lesson for the future. As a wise person once said ‒ Never let a good failure go to waste!
And who knows – it could prove to be the best decision you ever made…
Are you facing some difficult decisions?
Do you want to find out more about how coaching can help?
Then reach out and book a free, no-obligation discovery call with me by visiting here.
Grace Jones, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Grace Jones is a former freelance IT Consultant who is very familiar with the stress of working in demanding environments. Ten years ago she chose to study hypnotherapy to better understand how our thoughts influence our behaviour, habits and results. She went on to create the RISE Resilience system, designed to help people understand and effectively manage the increasing levels of stress, anxiety and burnout that so many are struggling with in this post-COVID world. Today she is an enthusiastic speaker, trainer and breathing coach ‒ "Training your brain to work for you..."
