How do we make better decisions? Isn’t that a common question we hear almost everyone asking themselves every single day? But to some people, making decisions comes natural. This is what Steve Liefschultz intends to promote: to make wiser decisions quickly on the go. The following 4 techniques should help.
1. Staying in the present is better than striving for perfection
Some people keep on doing what’s required of them for so long simply because they cannot find the “best” option to go about it. The reaction is instinctive: try to get as much information as possible before you make the decision.
But are you really looking for an alternative, or are you simply wasting time to avoid making the decision itself? Because really, there is no benefit, no point, to take longer than the predetermined time you allowed yourself for the decision. In fact, focus on the present and you will easily be able to eliminate the losses faster.
2. Taking a moment and closing your eyes before deciding helps
As strange as this sound, this one is not just backed by a study but also has proven its effectiveness in real world scenarios, which is the reason why individuals like Steve Liefschultz suggest you to try it. Postpone the decision by as much as much as 50-100 ms while ensuring that your brain isn’t distracted by any irrelevant information for that time period.
Closing the eyes helps people mentally visualize the events on a more extensive scale, to avoid the unethical and immoral behavior, and to feel at ease when acting out on the consequences decided in their heads. One instance where this will be particularly handy is when you don’t want to make the wrong decision under the false consensus impression.
3. Be wary of the yes-men you are surrounded by
The most dangerous type of people in business fall in the ‘yes-man’ category, the ones who will always vote for you in an argument. They are basically validating the only things they know you will be pleased to hear in order to remain, or come, in your good books.
But even when you have no one to give you this sort of information, there is still one entity and possibly the worst of them all to mold any given data to your viewpoint at present: you. If you cannot think about the information objectively, even if it makes you uncomfortable, then there is no reason for you to be confident about having a fact to back your opinion with.
4. Admit the mistake and have a back-up plan ready to implement
So, you made the wrong decision and made a blunder. Of course, the best thing is to correct it. But while you are at it, do admit your mistake; it will only earn you more loyalty and respect. Also, seeing as how different variables may work against you, a smart leader always has a Plan B in the waiting just in case.
What do you base your decisions on?