About half of all personal and managerial decisions fail. How much
time, money, reputation, and morale are you losing because of failed decisions?
Do you want to improve those odds and reap more rewards? Here are five things
you can do right now to make better decisions and make more money:
- Go in without preconceived notions. Don’t make decisions in your head
before you have carefully weighed the options. Going into a decision without preconceived
notions encourages practices of nurture and rest that provide perspective and
promote good decisions. You might take walks in the woods or listen to music to
help you gain perspective, weigh decisions, and let go of preconceived notions.
- Don’t take the easy way out. Commit to discovering underlying issues.
Such commitment helps you avoid the trap of settling for easy answers that turn
out to be unworkable.
- Start with thorough information-gathering. By asking what information is needed, whether it has all been gathered, and whether there are further relevant questions
to pursue, you will make better decisions. Leave no stone unturned in gathering
information.
- Maintain a reflective (or prayerful or meditative) approach to decision-making. Reflection and prayer can provide a way to step back and see the whole picture,
letting go of ego needs and asking what is best for you and others involved. By
stepping back and praying, you gain new perspective.
- Make tentative decisions and then watch their outcomes for confirmation. The
decision is not over until the fruits of the decision are weighed against your
vision and mission.
There are dozens more ways to achieve more by bringing spirituality
into your life and work, but start by following these five decision-making strategies
and see how quickly your decisions make more sense! PE
