I have frequently been asked the question “how can I learn to make quick decisions?” followed by “I am not good at making decisions,” and I am sure you too probably know one or two friends who are like this. So what makes some people stuck between choices and not being able to make quick decisions?
It is quite common to hesitate when there are too many good options in hand and not to finding it easy to choose something. But what is it? A fear of missing out? I fear of making the wrong choices? A fear of failing?
Perhaps all of it.
Let’s look at people who are “better” at masking choices: they choose quick, very often, and wants to be involved in making the decisions. These guys believe in making the right choices for themselves and the others. They trust their abilities and are confident about them.
Does that mean that they always make choices that lead to successful outcomes?
No. Not necessarily.
They might be experts in their field and knowledgeable about their topics, but you know what, you can become like them as well. The choices they make lead to results that are either good for them or serving higher purposes or have consequences that will lead them to get clarity on the next thing to improve.
And that is the right mindset to have.
Whether if it is about choosing between 3 different meals or what is the next big move that you need to do to improve your life, you need to be assertive, confident, and a risk taker. That is the only way to practice decision making and to become better at making decisions. You need to be proactive and quick about making decisions.
The how: 6 practical steps.
- Choose days where you will take the initiative and decide for yourself and the others.
- Make your choices under a self-induced pressure: give yourself 2-3min to decide.
- Take calculated risks: use pros and cons, be pragmatic.
- Think like a decision maker: ask yourself: what would X do if he was in my situation? (X need to be someone you look up to)
- Be OK about making the wrong decision. See them as feedback and opportunities to improve.
- In fact, you might be better than what you think about making decisions; you just need to believe in it. Turn your limiting belief to an empowering belief and repeat it over and over every morning:
Ex: Limiting Belief: I’m not good at making decisions
Empowering Belief: If I want to, I can be good at making decisions.
When it comes to “big life decisions,” that’s an easy one: choose what you value the most. Whatever big thing you are going for, it needs to meet your values.
Remember, how you do anything is how you do everything. Practicing making decisions is the only way to become a better decision maker. And who knows, maybe one day you will make a decision that will change your life forever!
Voilà.
Practice practice practice!
