Have you ever thought about the system that you use to make decisions, especially the ones that matter? I’ve recently reviewed it and I uncovered some fascinating insights about how I’ve made decisions historically (especially the bigger ones) and how I’ve been actively changing that system for the better.
So how have you been historically with the big decisions? Have you ever thought about taking a different approach or reviewing your thought-process and/or system?
Historically I make them wel, sticking to them and being consistent is my issue. Consistency is a HUGE displeaser in my life…
My wife and I are having a foundational meeting for our family where I hope to rethink our strategies we have used thus far.
Great post John. Too many people keep doing the same thing and expecting different results (the definition of insanity). All too often, people think they make great decisions but never look back at their track record at what works and what doesn’t. To me, how you make decisions is not nearly as important as looking back and considering why you chose what you did. I believe that distance from the decision helps with understanding and that only comes with looking back.
The decisions I have made in my life, for better or worse, have made me the person I am. When I don’t like who I am, it is easy to look back and question the decisions I have made in the past. Without a system or at least an understanding of why you made those decisions, it is easy to get discouraged and on the wrong path.
I tend to make decisions on my own after a lot of research. Sure, my family chimes in but besides that, it is all me. Not the best way to make a decision but it does show how important it is to have the right people in your inner circle to help. That is one of my biggest issues when it comes to making decisions (besides analysis paralysis), not having enough people close to me that will support and challenge my decisions.
I’ve thought a lot about decision making, mine and other people’s. I encounter people almost on a daily basis that consistently make terrible decisions, or simply don’t know how to go about making great decisions. Most often they don’t have a system for doing it.
It got to the point where I had to do something to help so I created a decision making cheat sheet (it’s free on my website when you subscribe). It’s a simply tool, but it’s designed to help point people in the right direction. I use the questions in the cheat sheet myself as a launching pad for thought, prayer and discussion.
Anyways, thanks John for another thought provoking post.
My decision process is in 3 simple steps:
1. Ask God
2. Ask wife
3. Ask wife to change her mind.
Jennifer and I make all big decisions about our blog together.
Last week we decided that, in order to help me break out of the isolation of blogging, I’m going to write a series of posts from interviews I give to people here in town. In fact, I just returned from my first interview and it was wonderful! I had a real conversation about my blog topic with a real person, no, TWO real persons!
It was a great decision to take our blog into the real world, and we made it together.