How do you make decisions?
What is your tendency when it comes to making decisions? Do you usually decide quickly or need more time to think it through?
Knowing this about yourself can help you learn when to let your tendencies rule and when you need to keep them in check.
Make decisions quickly? This style of decision-making allows you to take action and move forward using your intuition and experience.
Pros: takes less time, may seize opportunities before they disappear
Cons: potentially missing relevant information, emotions may rule
Need to think about it for a bit? This style allows you to collect information, consider your options, and move forward with a well-informed decision.
Pros: minimizes regret, well-suited for ‘big’ decisions
Cons: desire to make the best decision can be stressful, too much information can be overwhelming (analysis paralysis is real!), may miss opportunities
Below are a few tips for maximizing the pros and minimizing the cons of your innate decision-making style:
For the quick decision-makers:
Check your emotions. It may be best to postpone your decision if they are out of balance.
Who else is impacted by this decision? If needed, get their input.
Is this a 'big' decision? If so, consider slowing down to gather information and weigh your options and consequences.
For the thinkers:
Will an opportunity disappear if you take too long to decide? If so, take a quick assessment of risks vs. rewards. If rewards outweigh the risks, give yourself a deadline. If not, move on.
Find your balance. Recognize when you have enough information to make a decision and confidently move forward.
Is this a 'big' decision? If not, consider tapping into your intuition and experience to make a quick decision.
As you move through life, your past experiences give you the knowledge needed to use the most effective decision-making style in a given situation. Tap into this knowledge to understand when to slow down and when to trust your gut. You are wise enough to seek out more information or let go and move forward. It is one of the perks of midlife!
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