Making any kind of decision, but particularly ‘big’ life choices such as career decisions can be difficult. Many people will offer advice on how to go about the process, but it is good to identify how you tend to approach decisions, and identify what about your decision making style may be helping or hindering you.
Think back to decisions you’ve made in the past How did you go about it? Do you think your decision making process was sound?
- Do you tend to be spontaneous, deciding on a whim?
- Do you choose things to please other people?
- Do you tend to opt out of decisions and let events control you?
Understanding your decision making style means you know what techniques work for you, but are also aware of and can avoid some of the pitfalls associated with each style such as: rushing to make a decision, avoiding making a decision, or making a decision that is not right for you.
There is no one right way to make a decision, only the ways that work for you. But, if you are stuck try some different methods from usual and see if they help.
Think through or talk through?
Some people prefer to think their decisions through individually, taking time to reflect so that they have a clear idea of what they will do when they decide to act. If this is you, you will probably still value the opinions of others, but may only prefer talking to one or two people. You might also find you spend too much time reflecting and don’t move into action quickly enough.
Others often understand a problem better when they can talk out loud about it and hear what others have to say. They are capable of reflecting, but sometimes forget to stop and get clear on what decision they want to make and why.
Meanings and associations or facts and details?
Have you ever made sweeping statements like ‘I don’t want to work in an office? Do you tend to think about the future more than the past? Jump from idea to idea? Pay the most attention to impressions you get?
Do you find new possibilities and imagination inspiring, and spot patterns between the options you are considering? You may be basing your decisions on big picture ideas. But you possibly avoid closely analysing different courses of action, and don’t examine salient details about a particular occupation, basing your judgement on the impressions you get.
Or, when faced with a problem do you tend to start with the facts, and work through them until you understand the problem? Do you trust experience first and words and symbols less? If you like details and data you probably something good here, but may find that you pay so much attention to facts, that you miss new possibilities and don’t respond to your intuition about different options.
Head or heart?
When you make a decision, do you like to analyse pros and cons, and then be consistent and logical in deciding? Do you make decisions with my head and want to be fair?
Or do you prefer to make decisions with your heart, concerned with values and what is the best for the people involved? Do you prefer to do whatever will establish or maintain harmony? You may be making decisions based on the wishes of those around you.
Desire certainty or desire flexibility?
Do you prefer a planned or orderly way of life, and like to have things settled and organized? You might feel more comfortable when decisions are made, and like to bring life under control as much as possible. Sometimes, though, in your desire for certainty, you may make a decision too quickly, without assessing all the information.
Some people like to stay open to respond to whatever happens. They feel discomfort in making a decision and rejecting other options. They want to remain flexible and open, and may keep on taking in new information. If this is you, you may find that you suffer from ‘paralysis by analysis’; repeatedly delaying a decision to allow for more analysis to make a better choice.
How do you make decisions? What has worked for you?