3 tips for making decisions

People make decisions every minute. Sometimes they make small decisions, sometimes they make big decisions. Everybody make choices and each choice has consequences. Great decision makers often make decisions based on the consequences of each option, rather than the options themselves. They then build on the pluses and minimize the minuses. People often use the 5C model for making decisions. Let’s explore how this works in practice.

* You can establish clarity.

Start by establishing clarity. Faced by a challenge, do three things. First, translate it into a ‘How to …’ question. Such as: “How to take the next step in my career? How to build a successful team? How to find a ‘win-win’ solution?” Second, phrase the challenge in positive terms. Such as: “How to stay calm,” rather than, “How to stop getting angry?” Third, Ask yourself: “What are the real results to achieve?” This is the crucial question. Many people rush into activity mode before checking they are ‘climbing the right mountain’. Good decision makers clarify the ‘What’ before moving on to the ‘How’. Let’s assume that you have gone through these stages – then move onto the next phase.

* You can clarify the choices, consequences & creative solutions.

Clarify your choices for tackling the challenge. For example, “Option ‘A’ is to … Option ‘B’ is to … Option ‘C’ is to …” Keep going until you have brainstormed all the options. Clarify the consequences of each option. Describe the pluses and minuses of Option ‘A’, Option ‘B’, Option ‘C’, etc. (There is no such thing as a ‘minus-free’ option.) If you wish, rate the attractiveness of each option on a scale 0 - 10.

Move onto exploring the creative solutions. For example, ask yourself: “What are the best parts of each option? Can these be put together into a new option? Looking at the real results to achieve, what has worked before - both for me and for other people? How can I follow those principles in this situation? Are there any other creative solutions?” Keep exploring until you begin settling on a solution and feel ready to move onto the final part.

* You can clarify the conclusions.

Clarify your preferred option. Looking at the real results you want to achieve, which route - or routes - do you want to pursue? (Sometimes you may want to pursue parallel options.) What are the 3 key things you can do to give yourself the greatest chance of success? How can you maximize the pluses and minimize the minuses? What is your back-up plan? Are there any people who need to be involved? If so, how can you make clear contracts with these people? Revisit the picture of perfection. What will be happening when you reach the goal? What will you be seeing, hearing and feeling? What will be the actual words you will hear people saying? How can you encourage yourself on the journey? Keep your eyes on the goal and start working. Momentum is crucial, so do something to get an early success.

Try applying this approach on a decision you want to make. Start by establishing clarity – the real results you want to achieve. Then work through the choices, consequences, creative solutions and conclusions. Decision making is a key skill in life. People who develop this skill are in a better position to shape their future lives.