A study from Columbia University found that, on average, we have to make up to 70 decisions a day, ranging from small things like what to eat or which way to go, to more difficult decisions like choosing a job offer, moving to a different city, or avoiding a negative person.
A wrong decision can sometimes be costly. So what are the secrets to effective decision-making that intelligent people often use?
Therefore, developing effective analytical and decision-making skills will bring you success and happiness. Below are some secrets that successful people often use to make decisions.
1. Turn small decisions into habits.
Think of decision-making as a muscle: if you use your muscles too much in a day, you'll become exhausted and unable to move. One of the secrets to successful people dealing with this type of fatigue is to turn making small, everyday decisions into a habit. This way, you'll save your energy for more complex decisions.
Steve Jobs wore a black t-shirt to work every day. Mark Zuckerberg prefers wearing a hoodie. Both men wear their familiar attire because it's part of their daily routine, aimed at reducing the fatigue of making decisions. They are aware that the energy available for decision-making each day is limited. Barack Obama once said, "I only wear blue or gray suits so I don't have to make decisions. I don't want to have to decide what to eat or what to wear because I already have too many decisions to think about."
2. Make decisions in the morning.
Another great decision-making tip is to prioritize tackling complex issues in the morning – when your mind is still clear – and save smaller decisions for later in the day when you're less energetic. If you have too many important decisions to make, wake up early and tackle the difficult ones first, before being distracted by emails or phone calls. Similarly, you can do some light tasks the night before to reduce your workload the next day. For example, prepare your outfit the night before so you don't have to worry about it the next morning.
3. Pay attention to emotions.
"Don't make long-term decisions based on fleeting emotions." Successful people understand how powerful emotions are in influencing behavior. Unfortunately, most of us are not good at controlling or even recognizing our emotions. According to a survey of over a million people, only 36% are able to accurately perceive their emotions. Remember that negative emotions can make us easily agitated and lose self-worth, just as a happy mood can make us excited and overconfident.
4. Consider the options objectively.
When preparing to make a decision, successful people compare options using a clear set of criteria because this makes the decision more effective and easier. Some useful criteria to consider are: What value does this decision bring? Are there any disadvantages? Does this decision reflect my values? Will I regret or feel remorse for this decision?
5. Put it aside and go to sleep.
Put the decision aside for now and go to sleep; you'll think better the next day, when time has calmed your momentary emotions. When you act too quickly, you're often just reacting to the situation, but if you take your time to think, your decision will be much wiser.
6. Don't delay too long.
Successful people understand the importance of gathering as much information as possible, but they don't become overly reliant on analyzing it. It's crucial to set deadlines for decision-making, so you'll have the motivation to complete the work on time.
7. Exercise to regain energy.
Naturally, the pressure of making decisions produces cortisol – a "fight or flight" response – and you lose the ability to think clearly. When you feel overwhelmed, exercise. Just 30 minutes can quickly restore your mental clarity thanks to endorphins. Exercise also helps you avoid reacting emotionally. Research also shows that long-term exercise supports improved brain function in decision-making.
8. Always stay true to yourself.
Successful people understand the importance of being "true" to themselves when making decisions. This is the guiding principle that helps you stay on the right path when emotions lead you astray.
9. Seek outside help.
In the decision-making process, we tend to look for alternatives and gather information that supports the decision, rather than gathering information beforehand. To mitigate this, you should seek opinions and advice from others to gain diverse perspectives, increase objectivity, and eliminate impulsive decisions.
10. Review your previous decision.
Mark Twain described the complex nature of decision-making as follows: "Good decisions come from experience, but experience is gained from mistakes." This doesn't mean the only way to become a good decision-maker is to make many mistakes; it implies remembering past lessons. Successful people know that past decisions can be used as a reference for similar situations in the present and future.
A wrong decision can have consequences that last for days, weeks, or even years, so making the right decision requires an investment of your energy and time.
Source: Vietnamwork.com
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