Written by Iren Gurung (PoP’s Social Media Manager)
It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped. -- Tony Robbins
Carefully opening the fridge, I survey what vegetables are inside. Looking up and down, I saw carrots, bell pepper, radish, a fresh mushroom that was given by our neighbor, and a big Nappa cabbage which I bought the other day. There is also a slice of squash and a bunch of freshly picked spinach. But then, I cannot decide what menu to cook for the day.
Perhaps, I could make kimchi (a Korean staple) since I have cabbage? A mushroom soup is good too. Or I can make a radish salad. Few more minutes have passed, and I am still thinking about what menu to cook for the day. Why is it so hard to choose and decide what to cook?!
Decision-making can be a challenge for many of us. Every day, our life is full of making decisions.
From the moment you wake up, choosing the outfit to wear for the day, what food you will have for breakfast, --every single thing revolves around decision-making. It should be something that we all should be an expert with, and yet many still fail in this area. And when we fail to choose the right decision, our life ends up being miserable and unhappy.
Knowing how to make good decisions could impact the way that we live our lives.
Good decision-making could be your path to a better and happier life. Many people do not pay much attention to the effect their decisions can bring. Everything in your life is the result of the choices you made in the past. What you are right now, where you are right now, and whoever you are with right now is a reflection of the choices you have made. If you think your life is messed up, then it’s time for you to make better choices.
We have the freedom of choice. You are free to make whatever choice you want. But take note, you are not free from the consequence of your choices.
Here are some tips on how you can be a better decision-maker:
KNOW YOUR GOAL
Decisions often fail because of you not knowing what your end-goal is. Before you can begin to make a decision, you need to understand your situation and your goals. I am studying hard because….? What am I doing this? You need to figure out why you are making that decision and your purpose for doing it.
LIST DOWN YOUR OPTIONS
Some people might say, “I can’t even choose between a YES and a NO. Why do I need to list down more choices?” I hear you. Coming up with several different options may sound like it is going to make your decision more complicated. But the thing is having other alternatives will help you dig deeper and look at the problem from different angles and perspectives.
LIST DOWN THE PROS AND CONS
This is one of the essential steps in decision-making. Evaluating the risk and the consequences can help you determine the best option you can choose. Almost every decision involves some degree of risk. You need to evaluate what is the probability and impact each option can make. I want to make some changes to our business structure, is it worth the risk? Before you make a decision, you have to understand the effects of your choice. By listing down the pros and cons, you have a visible cheat sheet that can help you come with the best option. DECISIONS SHOULD COME FROM A PLACE OF PEACE
Now, this is something that a good friend of mine told me. In making a decision, you have to make sure that it came from a place of peace. Do not decide out of pressure. Perhaps, you want to take medicine, but your parents told you to take a business course. If you decide out of pressure, it will not be worth it. Remember the first step: Know your goal. Whatever you decide to do, make sure it makes you happy and at peace. Give importance to your inner peace.
ASK GOD FOR WISDOM
James 1:5 says, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." After carefully analyzing all your options, ask God for wisdom. It is not enough that we have the freedom to choose our path in life. We also want that path to be the best.
This bible reference applies to those times when we are unsure of what to do. What's the best choice? Which way should we go? How do we decide between two different paths?
Those who truly trust God will ask Him for wisdom. God knows our hearts better than we do. He knows what is best for us. Therefore, He will help us choose the best decision that will ultimately work out for our very best.