When it comes to facing challenges and overcoming life or professional crises, not everything is based on effort or discipline; Much of what allows us to adapt correctly to the demands of the environment has to do with learn to make decisions
Given this, Psychology has a lot to say: there are worse and better ways to choose between the options available to us, and to do it appropriately, it is important to learn certain patterns of behavior and management of thoughts and emotions. .
6 strategies to learn to make better decisions in life
These are some key ideas worth keeping in mind to approach making important decisions from a constructive, goal-oriented mindset.
1. Define your options well
Before taking a decision, It is important that we make sure that, first of all, this task of choosing is made up of clear and concrete options, instead of being based on generalities and diffuse wishes. If not, you will be exposing yourself to the constant frustration of not knowing what to do while not being very clear about what you are supposed to choose between.
Having blurry alternatives that constantly change without you realizing it is an insurmountable obstacle that will not allow you to make a decision consistently, and worse still, it will not even allow you to learn from your mistakes.
Therefore, first of all, worry about specify the options before which you should position yourself and make a decision.
2. Assume a certain degree of uncertainty
We are not talking about learning to make good decisions, or even learning to choose, but about developing the necessary skills to know how to choose from an adequate, reasonable position, creating situations so that the risk of failure is relatively small and so that the risks of failure are relatively small. get it right are enlarged.
In fact, achieving this requires being aware at all times that it is impossible to learn to be right always or almost always, and that Uncertainty and lack of information are a necessary element of the decision-making process
3. Take stock of your strengths and weaknesses
To know how to “measure your strength” in the face of a challenge, it is important to have a complete and nuanced vision of what you can and cannot do. In this sense, it is very useful to create a SWOT matrix, in which you make a brief list of your strengths, your weaknesses, your risks and your opportunities in relation to a specific mission.
This SWOT analysis must be focused on the here and now, that is, it must be based on the real Self, which you know exists in the present, and not on an idealized Self or on the potential skills that you think you can develop with a few days of learning or training. Spending about five minutes on this is enough.
4. Make an estimate of your ability to learn
Although the SWOT analysis was focused on the present, it is still true that you surely have the ability to increase your chances of success. if you prepare adequately to face a challenge with which you have relatively little experience
So if you’re wondering how you should approach a project or challenge that’s relatively new to you (or if you’re wondering whether you should even try it in the first place), stop to also think about what gives you time. to learn or train in the time you have, and about whether you believe you have the skills and resources necessary to make it work.
5. Take into account your emotional state when making the decision
At a certain point you will have to choose one of the options; After that phase, it is important that you maintain consistency and act consistently, so that if you leave that decision aside, it is only because you see that you have made a mistake and that that strategy or tactic does not work.
However, Try not to let that moment coincide with a situation in which you notice that your emotions are overwhelming you, because they can distort your perspective too much about what is happening. It is clear that time is limited and in certain cases you will not be able to wait indefinitely until you calm down completely, but find a balance between the minutes or hours you have to decide and your emotional state.
6. Beware of analysis paralysis
Until now we have focused on tasks based on introspection, on reflection. But while these are useful and necessary if there is a lot at stake in your decision, you must keep in mind that this “thinking” phase can become a trap.
Some people do not decide to take the step that goes from words to actions because they are afraid of exposing themselves to failure, so they always remain at the same stage, mulling over their doubts, their ideas, etc. This is a phenomenon known as analysis paralysis: the task of reflecting before doing something goes from being a tool to overcome a challenge to being an excuse not to address it.
Therefore, it is important that you know how to detect that point where if you continue limiting yourself to thinking, you are self-sabotaging.
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If you are interested in having professional psychological support to face periods of crisis, to learn to manage your responsibilities or to correctly manage your emotions when faced with a project, I invite you to contact us.
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