Importance of Decision Making

Serena Cuoghi
Title of Professor of Biology

From personal development to the growth of all humanity, everything becomes a chain in constant movement generated by making one decision after another. What to eat for breakfast, what career to study, with what attitude we assume the facts of life and even how we dress, are part of the decisions we make. They accompany us daily, some with a short-term effect, while others can mark our destiny forever, and even that of those who surround us, hence the transcendental importance of learning to make decisions that can guide us correctly towards our best performance in all scopes.

Strategies that can guide to improve decisions

There is no perfect recipe, nor is there a perfect decision, these are demanding parameters that, far from helping us improve, lead us further. quite directly towards adding more errors and failures, however, there are some guidelines that can allow us to increase the capacity and assertiveness in decision-making, among which: 1) having clear objectives, this helps to increase the ability to focus on what is you want to achieve;

2) search for all relevant and accurate information on each of the elements involved;
3) establish a matrix of advantages, disadvantages and the possible consequences in the short, medium and long term of each of the options;
4) always analyze the context, factors such as time, resources and limitations that may be influential;
5) evaluate the potential risks, as well as the benefits that could be generated and compare them with each other for each case;
6) consult with other people who may have more experience in the subject, this helps to broaden the perspective, taking into account that the opinions come from really decisive people;
7) rely on critical thinking without fearing to question one's own prejudices and limiting beliefs, evaluating the sources of information, the logic and coherence that can guide towards the decisions to take;
8) think about the effects of the decision in the long term and if these are aligned with the objectives pursued;
9) be empathetic, this is a powerful tool that allows you to understand how other people will be affected by what you decide;
10) take one step at a time, many of the decisions can be subdivided into several on segmentable facts, which facilitates and improves things, allowing both the assessment of impacts on a smaller scale and their quicker correction if necessary;
11) review previous decisions and identify successes and failures;
12) overcome the fear of uncertainty through the courage to assume the consequences maturely, having confidence that the right thing can be done;
13) when it is necessary to take a break to clarify the ideas and emotions;
14) set a time limit for actions and decisions;
15) assume the errors as part of the learning experience and proceed to establish the pertinent corrections.

Optimizing time and resources

Making assertive decisions is a symbol of the need to responsibly manage the tangible and intangible resources that we have available, between them their own time, also giving fair value to that of others, translating all this into consideration and respect for what can be possess, and even think or feel, such that it is possible to optimize the administration and management of each of the available resources in the best way possible. In terms of a company, it becomes a guide to reducing costs due to potential losses and expenses. unnecessary, as well as the potential increase in profit margins by maximizing the use of resources existing.

Each case and scenario determines for itself the nature of the necessary decisions, so constant training, oriented at the same time to maintain knowledge always updated on the various aspects that influence the area in which we work, allows us to maintain the ability to assertiveness about decisions to take. For example, a treatment for a heart pathology based on the knowledge that was available 40 years ago in this area, may not be as assertive. as one that is updated with the latest discoveries and drugs of the moment, the success of the doctor who indicates the treatment is You will be directly influenced by the knowledge base you draw on, and this is true for all other aspects and professions. existing.

The value of mistakes

The most famous people in history have become so as a result of their decisions, an example for good can be represented by Henry Ford, when he decided to surround himself with those who could help him realize his dream of creating a large-scale automated industrial production system, changing the course of the progress of all humanity, while a few decades later Hitler ended up implementing decisions whose traces would leave a history of profound pain.

Knowing then the mistakes of the past, even more so within the framework of what we have to assume in our own decisions, is one of the most nutritious aspects when it comes to allow us to consider the potential causes and consequences of it, making it necessary both introspection about our previous steps and the evaluation of cases Similar. Identifying and assuming possible errors becomes in itself one of the most assertive decisions that can allow redirecting the course of any goal towards a good port, so the humility of this act must be incorporated as a base value in every project, if you want to achieve its authentic success.

References

Castanyer, O., & Ortega, E. (2009). Why can not I be assertive?. Editorial Desclee de Brouwer.

Pereda, O. AND. (2000). Assertiveness: Communication Model in Organizations. Quipukamayoc, 7(14), 119-129.

Quiros, L. d. (2013). Assertive communication. University College of Catago.

Vizcarra Parra, F., & Gomez Santos, S. TO. (2016). The error as an opportunity to reflect and make assertive decisions in learning mathematics. Mexican magazine of distance baccalaureate, 8(16), 34-42.

Images: Fotolia. Rider – Christos Georghiou