My goal for this blog is not so much to describe decision making models or processes, because there is much about those available with a simple browser search. My goal is to simply call attention to a common mistake that people often make when decisions don’t turn out the way you would have liked. That mistake is judging one’s self to be unable to make good decisions.
There is not one of us whose decisions always turn out as expected or hoped! There are so many factors that come into play that are unforeseen that it is bound to happen. You make what you think is a “no-brainer” and the next thing you know, everything is falling apart! It happens. We don’t want to get so focused on that undesirable outcome that we get distracted from the subsequent decisions that then are to be made. We need to remember that we are making decisions all the time and all we can do is take our current realities, weigh our options and make a choice that has the potential to benefit us (see blog on Self-Esteem, June 3, 2012).
Sure, let’s learn some of the models and determine when it might be best to make a quick decision, to gather more information, to get group input, or to make a collaborative group decision; but regardless of the outcome – stay diligent and involved or the outcomes will only be less desirable and you may become even more discouraged.
I know it likely sounds rather silly of me to downplay “outcome” when so much of what we do is judged on outcome. I am not saying outcome is unimportant, but it is not ALL important. None of us can tell the future, control all the factors, or can research a thing so
thoroughly to come up with a perfect decision; so let’s give up that fantasy right now! Even when we make a good decision, the outcome may turn out bad. How can that be, you ask? Let me give you an example.
Several years ago, I was in the market for a car and wanted one that would be equipped to tow a boat. I did my research and the Chevy Caprice was the winner (many of you will remember these as police cruisers and taxi cabs!). It was not a sexy car. Edmund’s described it as “competent”. Edmund’s liked the V8 engine and that is what I chose. That engine would get up and go – when it was running, that is. My mom and dad both owned earlier versions of this vehicle and had very few problems. My uncle, who owned a Goodyear store and was a master mechanic, recommended the vehicle. My dad still feels bad about his endorsing this car. I chose the tan color vs. maroon –
otherwise, the same car. It had problem after problem. It was in the shop over and over again. The decision making process was good and the decision was good. The outcome was less than desirable and was beyond anyone’s ability to foresee. My parent’s still have
one of those same Caprices, by the way, and it still runs and tows the boat!
Don’t judge the quality of your decision solely on the outcome! Take the outcome into consideration, learn about decision making and make the best ones you can make. You will benefit from that diligence, but when things don’t turn out like you expected just regroup and make another decision!
There is not one of us whose decisions always turn out as expected or hoped! There are so many factors that come into play that are unforeseen that it is bound to happen. You make what you think is a “no-brainer” and the next thing you know, everything is falling apart! It happens. We don’t want to get so focused on that undesirable outcome that we get distracted from the subsequent decisions that then are to be made. We need to remember that we are making decisions all the time and all we can do is take our current realities, weigh our options and make a choice that has the potential to benefit us (see blog on Self-Esteem, June 3, 2012).
Sure, let’s learn some of the models and determine when it might be best to make a quick decision, to gather more information, to get group input, or to make a collaborative group decision; but regardless of the outcome – stay diligent and involved or the outcomes will only be less desirable and you may become even more discouraged.
I know it likely sounds rather silly of me to downplay “outcome” when so much of what we do is judged on outcome. I am not saying outcome is unimportant, but it is not ALL important. None of us can tell the future, control all the factors, or can research a thing so
thoroughly to come up with a perfect decision; so let’s give up that fantasy right now! Even when we make a good decision, the outcome may turn out bad. How can that be, you ask? Let me give you an example.
Several years ago, I was in the market for a car and wanted one that would be equipped to tow a boat. I did my research and the Chevy Caprice was the winner (many of you will remember these as police cruisers and taxi cabs!). It was not a sexy car. Edmund’s described it as “competent”. Edmund’s liked the V8 engine and that is what I chose. That engine would get up and go – when it was running, that is. My mom and dad both owned earlier versions of this vehicle and had very few problems. My uncle, who owned a Goodyear store and was a master mechanic, recommended the vehicle. My dad still feels bad about his endorsing this car. I chose the tan color vs. maroon –
otherwise, the same car. It had problem after problem. It was in the shop over and over again. The decision making process was good and the decision was good. The outcome was less than desirable and was beyond anyone’s ability to foresee. My parent’s still have
one of those same Caprices, by the way, and it still runs and tows the boat!
Don’t judge the quality of your decision solely on the outcome! Take the outcome into consideration, learn about decision making and make the best ones you can make. You will benefit from that diligence, but when things don’t turn out like you expected just regroup and make another decision!
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