Empowered Decision Making

It occurred to me one day several years ago that while 80 to 90% of my decisions had turned out to be quite positive, there was still the 10 to 20% that did not have such a positive outcome. I could see there was some room for improvement, and became quite motivated to learn how to make better and more effective decisions. It was then that I began to seriously study how other people make their decisions. I was looking for any tool or system that I could use to aid me in becoming a better decision maker.

Over the years, I have adopted, adapted and applied a number of tools and systems that have resulted in my making better decisions. I am eager to share a couple of my discoveries with you.

First of all, I have learned never to just jump into a decision, without first taking time to gather all the facts. I must do my due diligence, to make sure there is nothing hiding under the rocks, if I am to make really good decisions.

Secondly, I have realized the advantage of looking at the issue from a number of different perspectives. If a decision will affect others-and most of them do-I make it a point to get their opinions, thoughts, and suggestions regarding the decision I have to make. The smartest thing I have learned to do is trust my wife and daughter's intuition. I really do believe that females have been given a special gift of intuition, and it is my job as a husband and father to listen to their gut feeling about things. Honestly, trusting Vicki and Tasha's intuition has never failed me yet.

Making well thought out decisions and taking action on them is much easier when I have the confidence and assurance that comes with taking all the facts into consideration and engaging others in the process. Being humble enough to hear and listen to what others share may be a bit difficult at times, and yet it is so vital to having success in the decision making process.

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By: Robert Prentice