An average adult makes more than 35,000 decisions in a day. Some of them are easy, such as choosing what you’ll eat for lunch. Others are more challenging, like determining how to respond to an upset client. Decision-making skills come in handy in all kinds of scenarios, from planning sales goals to hiring a new person for your team.
If you tend to waffle a bit when making big decisions, try following some steps that will get you to the best outcome. Writer Leah Campbell has outlined a six-step process to making the best possible choices. We share her guidance in this issue of Promotional Consultant Today.
1. Identify what you want to achieve. When making decisions, you are usually responding to a problem, challenge or opportunity. For example, you may need to solve a problem regarding a problem with an order. Or you may need to weigh the pros and cons of switching vendors. Whatever the situation may be, Campbell says the first step is always getting clear on the goal of your decision. Then you can use that objective to guide you through the rest of the process.
2. Think through various responses. Some decisions involve a simple yes or no. Others involve several possible solutions. To make the best decision, Campbell recommends examining the choice from as many angles as possible and generating several solutions. Depending on the decision you need to make, you may ask for input from others.
3. Zoom in a little closer. The next step to making better decisions involves inspecting your options more closely. Campbell says this could be as simple as creating a pros and cons list or as detailed as designing a scoring metric that allows you to rate each choice.
4. Choose a solution or response. Sometimes, making the best decision is obvious. However, when you’re making a more complex decision and the answer doesn’t immediately jump out, Campbell suggests drilling down your pros and cons list a little further or tweaking the scoring metric you created. There may be a category you hadn’t considered yet. Keep adjusting your evaluation methods until the right decision becomes clear, she says.
5. Put your choice in action. When you make a choice, go with it. You have reflected on it, considered various outcomes and evaluated your options. Now’s the time to move forward with your choice and do what you need to do to make it a success.
6. Correct course when needed. While you should implement your decision, remember that you’re not locked in completely. You can always monitor progress and change course. For example, if you hire someone who turned out not to be a great fit, you can make adjustments.
When you become skilled at making better decisions, you set yourself up for more success—both personally and professionally. Follow the six steps above to refine your decision-making skills.
Compiled by Audrey Sellers
Source: Leah Campbell is a freelance writer and editor who contributes to The Muse and other outlets.
