decisions are not good decisions, or you lack the confidence to make
decisions in a timely manner... you're not alone! Many people express their
concerns about their decision-making abilities. But if you ask them,
"What's your routine for making decisions?" they often will tell you they
don't have one.
Truthfully they do, but they don't recognize it, or they don't like it.
Their decisions are based on Something, and if they stop and think about it
they'll discover what it is. However, it's much better to purposefully and
thoughtfully develop your decision-making system, and then follow it
whenever you need to make decisions
If you ask Zig Ziglar how he makes decisions, he'll tell you that he
follows some basic rules. Here they are:
1. If I'm really tired, I don't make significant decisions (except in
emergencies).
2. If someone is pressing me to decide something "right now," unless an
immediate decision is critical, I say, "If I have to decide now, the answer
is no. After I have had a chance to catch my breath and review the facts,
there's the possibility it could be yes." Then I put the ball back in his
or her court and ask, "Do you want my decision now, or should we wait?"
3. I like to determine the maximum benefit of a decision, assuming that
everything goes my way. Then I ask, "Suppose nothing goes my way? Suppose
this doesn't develop and materialize as I expect it to? What is my maximum
exposure? What would I lose?"
4. For significant business-related decisions, I run them past my advisors.
These people are successful in their businesses and professions and have a
considerable amount of knowledge, experience, and wisdom, all of which are
musts in the decision-making process. I get their advice and follow their
recommendations, with good results in most cases. If the decision is too
minor to involve my advisors but I still want input, I get my family
together to look at the pros and cons.
5. I like to pray about my decisions. I ask God to help me see the truth of
my motives and to lead me in the way I should go. If I'm about to make an
unwise decision, I simply don't have peace about that decision, and I
consequently act on that feeling of unease. I ask myself, "How will this
decision affect all the areas of my life--personal, family, career,
financial, physical, mental and spiritual?" Obviously, not all decisions
affect all areas, but if the decision involves a financial reward but also
carries considerable family sacrifice, for example, I think carefully as to
whether what I give up is compensated for by what I gain.
One final note: Prioritize your decisions. Some are more urgent than others!
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