How to make good decisions

Dear Adey

How can you tell if one decision will be better than the other in the long run? I often make better short term decisions than long term ones. I am hoping you can share a method that can help me achieve better results.

Thanks

Kelvin
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Dear Kevin

Making decisions whether long or short term always require the same process. Often times we just give more importance to one over the other depending on if it is a trivial one like deciding what to wear today or a life changing one like deciding who to spend the rest of your life with.

Decision making is a skill and like every other skill must be developed every day to enable you become better.  The question then should be, How can I develop my decision making skill to enable me make better decisions regardless of short or long term.

• The first would way would be to get knowledge. You cannot make good decision without knowledge. You have to be well informed and it is usually based on the information that decisions are made. So for example if you were to make a decision on what to wear to work on a Monday morning, you will probably factor in situations like meetings with clients etc, it is based on the information that you decide whether to be corporately dressed or casually dressed. Same thing with a life partner, you will need information by answering questions like the following;  What do I want in a life partner? What characteristics do I need my partner to have? What kind future would I want to have?  If you are a religious person, you may even ask yourself questions about your preference to a particular religion. All of those data will help influence your decision in making one choice over the other. So I think the problem you are facing is not because they are long term decisions, rather its because they are life changing decisions. Life changing decisions are always scary to make so you are not alone on this boat.
• After getting knowledge about the decision you are trying to make, I will like you to list all your fears.  List everything that is making you worried about the decision you are trying to make, You may find your answers during this process.
• After that identify all the worse case scenario that could happen if you made the decision.  For example if you are trying to figure out what decision would be better if you stayed home and took care of your kids or worked full time and took them to the day care. Identify the worse of both situations. You may find your answers just by doing this process
• Seek advice from experts or someone who is more knowledgable in the area you are trying to make your decision.  You could do this if you are not confident in your decision. Be careful not to be get influenced and choose their opinion. Remember everyone makes decisions based on their life experiences and situations and your situation may be completely different from the next. So please be very careful with this process.
• Finally, stay calm. making decisions based on high emotions whether negative or positive could impact your ability to make rational decisions

Best of luck

Adey,