Decision Making

Decision making is done every day. Sometimes we make difficult decisions like where to go to college or simple every day ones like what to wear. Lots of things influence our decisions like weather, peers, money and others. Helpful Frames, Creative Alternatives, Useful Information, Clear Values, Sound Reasoning, Commitment to Follow Through are the six essential elements on decision making. Framing is outlining the situation or problem and deciding what needs to be decided, when, and who needs to be involved in the process. In a good decision one should cycle through it several times and make rough drafts of the procedure and only acting on it when they feel there doesn’t need to be anymore improvement. When framing it is important to avoid hidden assumptions and anchors that could be chaotic when making decisions. Looking at alternatives is important because sometimes there is a better fix to a situation than the obvious. Also, situations change, it is a part of life and having alternatives are essential when the world sends you unexpected curveballs. When making alternatives it is important to be creative and get as much information about a situation before acting. As an individual it is hard to know everything so when everyone comes together you can find essential information that you were previously missing. In almost every decision there is a list of pros and cons. You have to look at what values mean the most to you when making difficult choices and whether the trade-offs are worth it.

Earlier in the year we asked for feedback and we looked at what values we hold the highest. It’s important to know what others see of you. It widens the section of the Joharri Window that is what we both know.  Your actions help others decide what they think you value. When we make decisions it promotes these values. After thinking of your individual values make sure that your reasoning on your decision is sound. Sometimes what we think is reasonable in our minds seems crazy to others.

The last element is commitment to follow through. Everyone can have great ideas and make good decisions but following through with them is another thing entirely. Every decision needs time, effort, money and other resources. Make sure you add this in to your calculations when, making your decisions.