Whether you're a hiring manager deciding on which candidate to hire, a stock clerk trying to determine which supplies to order or a veteran employee considering which retirement plan suits you best, the decision-making process can be stressful, frustrating or all-together impossible. Follow these tips to make better decisions and weigh all your options.
Consider All Your Options at Once
According to a survey published in the Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes journal, those who consider all of their options together, rather than considering each choice individually, make better decisions. For example, if you're trying to decide which office chair to purchase for everyone in your department, put all the options in front of you. Consider all the relevant factors of each chair, and compare such things as price, brand, height, material and warranties.
Keep an Open Mind
To make better decisions, keep an open mind while you consider your options. Don't settle on the first option that's presented to you, and don't make a choice just to fit in with the status quo. Be willing to see other points of view, and pay attention to new evidence that may guide your decision-making.
Rely on Others for Help
When you're faced with a particularly difficult choice, it may help to enlist the opinions of a more experienced person in your organization or industry. Those who have greater experience tend to make better decisions, so seek out a mentor who can offer you advice to guide you as well as feedback after the decision-making process is complete.
Remove Your Stressors
The decision-making process can be taxing enough without additional stressors weighing on you. It's imperative that you have a clear head when you're making important decisions. Determine your biggest stress triggers, whether it's ringing phones or mounds of paperwork, and do what you can to reduce that stress. Take the time to do the necessary research to make better decisions, and don't allow yourself to be pressured into a hasty decision that you may regret later.
Commit to Your Decisions
Once you make a decision, commit fully to your choice and don't second-guess yourself. Focus on the bigger picture instead of stressing over the small details. Picking apart your final decision can cause you to lose confidence in your decision-making abilities and result in undue stress when it comes time to make another important decision. As you become more confident in your skills, make sure to continue to practice them regularly to keep them sharp.
As you progress in your career, you're faced with more difficult decisions that have a far-reaching impact on your organization and its employees. Learn to make better decisions and consider all the options to ensure you're always making the best choice.
Photo courtesy of David Castillo Dominici at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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