If you believe that life is a function of the choices you make, then you will agree that the ability to make the right decisions is key. Few things could change your trajectory in life or business as much as learning to make better decisions. Yet, no one teaches us how to make consistently high quality decisions. A key life skill is learned by us in our own way, even as we are taught math, languages and science!

Let’s now break decision making down a bit, starting with knowing WHAT decision needs to be made. This is about defining the question we are trying to answer as sharply and  clearly as possible, without which we would end up solving the wrong problem, hence making an ineffective decision. Lincoln said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” Similarly, in decision making, spending as much time as needed to define the question we are trying to solve is important to making good decisions.

Then let’s look at WHEN do we need to make a decision. Timing is an important factor in decision making. There are times when a delay in taking a decision could mean the opportunity is gone forever. There are other times when it might be too early to make a decision. Remember that not making a decision is also a decision.  So, when to make a decision is also a decision and must be put through the same rigour as other decisions, depending of course on the impact of the decision being made. The introduction of the tasting menu is probably a response to the diner not wanting to make a choice on what to eat for dinner. And Steve Jobs’ choice of black mock turtleneck, blue jeans, and sneakers – which he wore nearly every day from the 1990s –  was supposedly influenced by a desire to not have to take decisions on this aspect and focus his mind on more important matters.

Continued….
Read more: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/linksrinivasan_part-1-if-you-believe-that-life-is-a-function-activity-7327635593750855682-txqE