Making critical decisions

• Pros and cons seem evenly balanced when decisions are tough.
• Or the risks of taking a certain course of action are high.
• Or you fear the consequences of your decision.

What can you do about it?

• What is your decision making style? Try quiz.
• Examine the pros and cons systematically
• Seek varying perspectives of both pros and cons.
• Get information from others, experts if appropriate.
• Strive to generate a full list of both pros and cons.
• Be clear about what you really want to achieve.
• Identify your own biases and try to set them to one side.

Who else has a stake in your decision?

• What is their view of the pros and cons?
• Watch out for emotional blocks - see decision making and improving.
• Focus on the most critical issues to avoid feeling overwhelmed by trying to get your head around too many factors all at once.

Other steps

• How can you minimize the risk of your decision?
• Can you spread ownership across other stakeholders?
• Plan implementation carefully.
• Set up a contingency plan or fall back position.
• Enlist the help of people who can increase the likelihood of success.
• See risk page for further ideas on risk taking.
• Take steps to reduce your fear of failure
• Avoid exploring issues totally in your own head.
• Put ideas and options down on paper.
• Focus on specifics - nebulous anxiety is hard to overcome.
• Discuss your feelings with close others.
• Ask yourself what is the worst thing that can happen.
• Think through how bad that would really be.
• Reassure yourself about how you could survive a major setback.
• Make full use of all strengths and other resources at your disposal.
• Think positive thoughts -
  • what are you good at?
  • what have you done to be pleased with yourself for?
  • what can you do in the future to maximize your potential?
  • Dismiss pessimists and doubters around you.
• Watch out for self limiting beliefs - try quiz.