How to make decisions is a single mental move you can make which, in a millisecond, will solve enormous problems for you. It has the potential to improve almost any personal or business situation you will ever encounter … and it could literally propel you down the path to incredible success. We have a name for this magic mental activity … it is called DECISION.
Decisions, or the lack of them, are responsible for the breaking or making of many a career. Individuals who have become very proficient at making decisions without being influenced by the opinions of others are the same people whose annual incomes fall into the six and seven-figure category. However, it’s not just your income that is affected by decisions; this power dominates your whole life. The health of your mind and body, the well-being of your family, your social life, the type of relationships you develop … all are dependent upon your ability to make sound decisions.
What is a decision?
A decision is a conclusion or resolution reached after consideration. It involves choosing between two or more alternatives and committing to a course of action. Making a decision typically involves a process of evaluation, where various factors such as potential outcomes, benefits, risks, and personal values and preferences are weighed. Decisions can range from simple, everyday choices to complex and life-altering ones. The effectiveness of a decision often depends on the quality of the information available, the decision-making process used, and the ability to foresee and manage potential consequences.
The Art and Science – Bob Proctor
You would think anything as crucial as decision-making when it has such far-reaching power, would be taught in every school, but it is not. To compound the problem, not only is decision-making missing from the curriculum of our educational institutions, up until recently it’s also been absent from most of the corporate training and human resource programs available.
So, how is a person expected to develop this mental ability? Quite simply, you must do it on your own. However, I think it’s important to understand that it’s not difficult to learn how to make wise decisions. Armed with the proper information and by subjecting yourself to certain disciplines, you can become a very effective decision-maker.
ou can virtually eliminate conflict and confusion in your life by becoming proficient at making decisions. Decision-making brings order to your mind, and of course, this order is then reflected in your objective world … your results.
James Allen may have been thinking of decisions when he wrote,
No one can see you making decisions but they will almost always see the results of your decisions. The person who fails to develop their ability to make decisions is doomed because indecision sets up internal conflicts which can, without warning, escalate into all out mental and emotional wars. Psychiatrists have a name to describe these internal wars, it is ambivalence. My Oxford Dictionary tells me that ambivalence is the co-existence in one person of opposite feelings toward the same objective.
You do not require a doctorate degree in psychiatry to understand that you are going to have difficulty in your life by permitting your mind to remain in an ambivalent state for any period of time. The person who does permit it to exist will become very despondent and virtually incapable of any type of productive activity. It is obvious that anyone who finds themselves in such a mental state is not living; at best, they are merely existing. A decision or a series of decisions would change everything.
The basic law of the universe
A very basic law of the universe is “create or disintegrate”. Indecision causes disintegration. How often have you heard a person say, “I don’t know what to do.” How often have you heard yourself say, “What should I do?” Think about some of the indecisive feelings you and virtually everyone on this planet experience from time to time.
Every decision-maker was either fortunate enough to have been raised in an environment where decision-making was a part of their upbringing or they developed the ability themselves at a later date. They are aware of something that everyone who hopes to live a full life must understand: Decision-making is something you cannot avoid.
That is the cardinal principle of decision-making. DECIDE RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE WITH WHATEVER YOU’VE GOT. This is precisely why most people never master this important aspect of life. They permit their resources to dictate if and when a decision will or can be made. When John Kennedy asked Werner Von Braun what it would take to build a rocket that would carry a man to the moon and return him safely to earth, his answer was simple and direct. “The will to do it.” President Kennedy never asked if it was possible. He never asked if they could afford it or any one of a thousand other questions, all of which would have … at that time … been valid questions.
President Kennedy made a decision … he said, we will put a man on the moon and return him safely to earth before the end of the decade. The fact that it had never been done before in all the hundreds of thousands of years of human history was not even a consideration. He DECIDED where he was with what he had. The objective was accomplished in his mind the second he made the decision. It was only a matter of time … which is governed by natural law before the goal was manifested in form for the whole world to see.
I was … just hours ago … in an office with three people. We were discussing the purchase of shares in a company. I was selling, they were buying. After a reasonable amount of time, one of the partners asked me when I wanted a decision. I replied, “Right now.” I said, “You already know what you want to do.” There was some discussion about money. I pointed out that money had nothing to do with it. Once you make the decision you will find the money … every time. If that is the only benefit you receive from this particular message on decision-making, burn it into your mind. It will change your life. I explained to two of these people that I never let money enter my mind when I am deciding whether I will or will not do something. Whether I can afford it or not is never a consideration. Whether I want to or not is the only consideration. You can afford anything, there is an infinite supply of money. All of the money in the world is available to you, when the decision is firmly made. If you need money, you will attract it.
I am well aware there are any number of people who will say that is absurd. You can’t just decide to do something if you do not have the necessary resources. And that’s fine if that is the way they choose to think. I see that as a very limiting way of thinking. In truth, it probably is not thinking at all … it is very likely an opinion being expressed that was inherited from another older member of their family who did not think either.
Thinking is very important. Decision makers are great thinkers. Do you ever give much consideration to your thoughts? … how they affect the various aspects of your life? Although this should be one of our most serious considerations, for many people it is not. There is a very small select few who make any attempt to control or govern their thoughts.
Anyone who has made a study of the great thinkers, the great decision makers, the achievers of history, will know they very rarely agreed on anything when it came to the study of human life. However, there was one point on which they were in complete and unanimous agreement and that was, “We become what we think about.”
What do you think about? You and I must realize that our thoughts ultimately control every decision we make. You are the sum total of your thoughts. By taking charge this very minute, you can guarantee yourself a good day. Refuse to let unhappy, negative people or circumstances affect you.
The greatest stumbling block you will encounter when making important decisions in your life is circumstance. We let circumstance get us off the hook when we should be giving it everything we’ve got. More dreams are shattered and goals lost because of circumstance than any other single factor.
How often have you caught yourself saying, “I would like to do or have this but I can’t because…”
Whatever follows “because” is the circumstance. Circumstances may cause a detour in your life but you should never permit them to stop you from making important decisions.
Napoleon said, “Circumstances, I make them.”
The next time you hear someone say they would like to vacation in Paris, or purchase a particular automobile but they can’t because they have no money, explain they don’t need the money until they make a decision to go to Paris or purchase the car. When the decision is made, they will figure out a way to get the amount needed. They always do. Many misguided individuals try something once or twice and if they do not hit the bulls-eye, they feel they are a failure. Failing does not make anyone a failure, but quitting most certainly does and quitting is a decision. By following that form of reasoning, you would have to say when you make a decision to quit, you make a decision to fail. Every day in America, you hear about a baseball player signing a contract, which will pay him a few million dollars a year. You should try to keep in mind … that same player misses the ball more often than he hits it when he steps up to the plate.
Everyone remembers Babe Ruth for the 714 home runs he hit and they rarely mention that he struck out 1,330 times.
Charles F. Kettering said, and I quote, “When you’re inventing, if you flunk 999 times and succeed once, you’re in.”
That is true of just about any activity you can name, but the world will soon forget your failures in light of your achievements. Don’t worry about failing, it will toughen you up and get you ready for your big win. Winning is a decision. Many years ago Helen Keller was asked if she thought there was anything worse than being blind. She quickly replied that there was something much worse. She said, “The most pathetic person in the world is a person who has their sight but no vision.” I agree with Helen Keller.
At 91, J.C. Penny was asked how his eyesight was. He replied that his sight was failing but his vision had never been better. That is really great, isn’t it?
When a person has no vision of a better way of life, they automatically shut themselves in a prison; they limit themselves to a life without hope. This frequently happens when a person has seriously tried, on a number of occasions, to win, only to meet with failure time after time. Repeated failures can damage a person’s self-image and cause them to lose sight of their potential. They therefore make a decision to give up and resign themselves to their fate.
Why are they important?
Decisions are important for several key reasons:
- Direction and Action: Decisions provide direction in both personal and professional life. They help in moving from planning to action by determining what needs to be done, who will do it, and how it will be done.
- Resource Allocation: In business and personal finance, decisions determine how resources like time, money, and effort are allocated. Effective decision-making ensures that resources are used efficiently and in a way that aligns with goals and values.
- Problem Solving: Decisions are crucial in problem-solving processes. They involve choosing among different solutions to address challenges and issues, impacting the effectiveness of the solutions implemented.
- Opportunity Capitalization: Good decisions enable individuals and organizations to capitalize on opportunities. They involve recognizing potential benefits and taking calculated risks to achieve desired outcomes.
- Conflict Resolution: Decisions are often needed to resolve conflicts, whether between individuals, within teams, or in larger organizational contexts. Making fair and informed decisions can help in resolving disagreements and maintaining harmonious relationships.
- Goal Achievement: Decisions are the steps through which goals are achieved. They involve setting objectives and determining the best course of action to reach these objectives.
- Responsibility and Accountability: Making decisions often comes with responsibility and accountability. The ability to make sound decisions reflects on one’s leadership and management skills, particularly in professional settings.
- Change and Progress: Decisions are fundamental to change and progress. They involve choosing to embrace new ideas, technologies, or strategies, and can significantly impact personal growth, business innovation, and societal development.
Decisions are a fundamental aspect of human behaviour and organizational dynamics, driving action, resolving issues, managing resources, and shaping the future.
ADVANCE DECISION MAKING
We make advanced bookings when we fly somewhere – that is quite common. We make advanced reservations to eliminate any confusion or problems when the time arrives for the journey. We do the same with renting a car, for the same reason. Think of the problems you will eliminate by making many of the decisions you must make … well in advance. I’ll give you an excellent example. As I am preparing this message it is Ramadan, a time where all practicing Muslims fast. I was in an office yesterday in Kuala Lumpur and was asked if I would like a cup of tea or coffee. I replied that I would appreciate a cup of tea. The lady next to me was then asked if she would like a cup and she replied … “No, I’m fasting.” When she was asked, she did not have to decide whether she wanted anything or not. Whether she was thirsty or not was not a consideration. A decision had previously been made and her advanced Decision was well tempered with discipline.
The exact same concept works with a person when they are on a diet to release weight. Their decisions are made in advance. If they are offered a big slice of chocolate cake, they don’t have to say, “Gee, that looks good … I wonder if I should.” The decision is made in advance.
I made a decision a long time ago that I would not participate in discussions of why something cannot be done. The only compensation you will ever receive for participating in or giving energy to that type of discussion is something you do not want. I always find it amazing at the number of seemingly intelligent people who persist in dragging you into these negative brainstorming sessions. In one breath these people tell you they seriously want to accomplish a particular objective. And, in the next breath, they begin talking about why they can’t. Think of how much more of life they would enjoy by making a decision that they will no longer participate in that type of negative energy.
The humanistic psychologist, Dr. Abraham Maslow who devoted his life to studying self-actualized people, stated very clearly that we should follow our inner guide and not be swayed by the opinion of others or outside circumstances. Maslow’s research showed that the decision makers in life had a number of things in common; most importantly, they did work they felt was worthwhile and important. They found work a pleasure, and there was little distinction between work and play. Dr. Maslow said, to be self-actualized you must not only be doing work you consider to be important, you must do it well and enjoy it.
Dr. Maslow recorded that these superior performers had values, those qualities in their personalities they considered to be worthwhile and important. Their values were not imposed by society, parents or other people in their lives. They did make their own decisions. Like their work, they chose and developed their values themselves. Your life is important and, at its best, life is short. You have the potential to do anything you choose, and to do it well. But, you must make decisions and when the time for a decision arrives, you must make your decision where you are with what you’ve got. Let me leave you with the words of two great decision makers, William James and Thomas Edison. William James suggested that, compared to what we ought to be, we are making use of only a small part of our physical and mental resources. Stating this concept broadly, the human individual thus lives far within his limits. He possesses powers of various sorts, which he habitually fails to use.
Years later, Thomas Edison said, and I quote, “If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.”
By making a simple decision, the greatest minds of the past are available to you. You can literally learn how to turn your wildest dreams into reality.
Put this valuable information to use and recognize the greatness, which exists within you. You have limitless resources of potential and ability waiting to be developed. Start today – there’s never any time better than the present. Be all that you are capable of being.
Conclusion
The art and science of decision-making, as highlighted by Bob Proctor and through various examples, is a crucial skill that shapes our personal and professional lives. Decisions drive action, resolve conflicts, and lead to the achievement of goals. They are not just about choosing between options but also about setting the direction for our lives and careers. The ability to make decisions independently, without being unduly influenced by others, is a common trait among successful individuals.
The power of decision-making lies in its capacity to transform thoughts into reality and to direct our resources towards achieving our objectives. The process involves understanding the importance of decisions, how they affect every aspect of our lives, and learning the skills necessary to make wise choices. As demonstrated by figures like John F. Kennedy and Helen Keller, decision-making is about having the vision and courage to choose a path, even in the face of uncertainty or adversity.
Embracing decision-making means understanding that circumstances should not dictate our actions; rather, we should use our decisions to shape our circumstances. This mindset leads to personal empowerment, allowing us to create opportunities and overcome obstacles.
Ultimately, decision-making is an essential life skill that we must develop and refine. It is about making choices today that will shape our tomorrow. By mastering this skill, we unlock our potential to lead fulfilling and successful lives, both personally and professionally.