How to go about DECISION MAKING?

Decisions are central to our lives & professions. Decision making is crucial at almost every stages of management while there may be 100 routine decisions; there are also some critical decisions in an organization which place a big burden on the decision maker who shoulders the blame if the results are not as expected. Is there a method to decision making? How does one make a choice between multiple options and how does one deal with the decision that gives bad result?

It is almost impossible not to be confused & stressed while taking critical decisions. It requires both bravery and stamina for the decision maker to decide in the first place and then shoulder the responsibility decision. No wonder such persons are welcome in most organizations. Such a person must be positive & cool in dealing with the uncertainties surrounding decision making. No decision maker can be right all the time but he must certainly have the ability to take a gusty call.

Why is decision making so difficult?Critical decisions cannot be changed later and consequences both good & bad arise. One bad call will result in condemnation of the decision maker which is why such decisions are critical.
In this case of a critical decision the entire focus is on the decision-maker. In case he makes a wrong decision he will never be allowed to forget all his life.

Critical decisions can make you famous or dubbed a fool. Fear of failure is what puts great pressure on decision-maker leading to uncertainty and consequent mental distress.

8 Easy steps to decision making:-

1. A decision is something like the toss of the coin. One must be prepared for either heads or tails. But one must always back one’s decision. Have the right mental frame.
2. Having assessed the situation to the best of the ability take your decision in positive spirit and chances are likely that you will succeed.
3. There is no way that you can be 100% right in every decision you make. The simple solution is to openly accept when you are wrong and go on with your life.
4. Procrastination is the greatest enemy of decision making. It is worse than a failure due to bad decision and can destroy your reputation.
5. You may depend on your own knowledge and experience or you may ask those you may trust. But remember when you finally take the decision, the buck stops with you.
6. Remember large decisions are frightening because they are complex. If you take the decision one step at a time what is complex may now become simple.
7. One simple trick to decision making is to list them and dispose them according to priority.
8. If the same technique or the same logic applies to all decision making it would be wonderful. But each decision comes with its own baggage and requires a different template for its solution.