Optimal Decision Making: Remove the Stress by Following These 3 Steps
Decision making is a learned practice.
There is indeed a way to reduce stress in your process of making decisions.
Whether you are a stay-at-home-mom, a student or the CEO of your company, you are continually flooded with information and choices.
The trick is to learn how to make optimal decisions under your given circumstances, so that you can reduce stress and guilt.
Making good, stress-free decisions is all about making informed choices.
So how does one make "informed" choices? It is true that sometimes we are faced with making decisions that are dreadfully complicated to make; there might be no simple solution and sometimes the consequences aren't pleasing no matter which way we go.
This article is not an answer to what decisions to make in those situations, instead it offers a guideline, which if followed, could make any decision making process a little less overwhelming and could take some of the stress out of it.
On one hand it is fantastic that we have so many choices, but that can also create an excess of information in our brain, which can cause overwhelm and lead to stress.
Also at times we may think we are out of choices.
It is important to bear in mind that we always have alternative options.
Think of this situation: if you cannot stand your current job, but have bills to pay, a family to feed, then the "choice" of simply resigning today may not be the most realistic option for you.
This may make you feel like you don't have a choice but in reality, there is always some "choice" out there, regardless of whether we like the end result of taking it or not.
Keeping that in mind, there are three components to making stress free decisions.
We must use all three - logic, emotion and intuition.
Let's create a picture.
Suppose you are an exceptionally busy person, with several responsibilities and you also like volunteering.
Despite your hectic schedule you are asked to volunteer in yet another group.
You feel like you are in a dilemma - on one hand you know people are relying on you and you want to come across as accommodating and dependable - on the other hand you know you are over-extended with your already existing commitments.
It is indeed about prioritizing but how do you do that? How do you minimize the stress and guilt in the choice you make? Logic/Reason: Think of all the reasons that are solely logical - why you would want to do it and why you would not want to do it.
Make a list, at least a mental one.
This is where you would take into account your work schedule and the time commitment that is expected of you; when you are available and when you are not; vacation, holidays, what time you get off of work, gym, kids, pets, etc.
Compared to everything else in your life, how important is this particular new program to you? You can create a scale of 1 to 10 to answer that question.
Emotion/Feeling: Now think of your emotions around being in that team.
This is where you would take into consideration who you are around or the people with whom you will be involved.
Think of the work you will be doing.
What emotions do you feel? When you imagine making that appointment and being held by the commitment to attend the meeting, how does that make you feel? Are you doing this out of obligation? Obligation to whom? Do you feel you "should" be doing this? Why do you feel you "should?" Intuition: Once you have distinctly recognized your logical pros and cons, and have also become aware and mindful of your feelings and emotions surrounding the decision, this is when you explore your "intuition.
" In other words, what does your gut tell you? The very fact that you need some insight on this - what does that tell you? Tap into your knowledge and experience from prior similar situations.
How did you feel about those events and how did they go? How did those occasions turn out for you and everyone else involved? Do a bit of comparing, analyzing and projecting.
Needless to say, after you weigh the merits and demerits, whichever side weighs in heavier for you - you will choose that! Try using this technique in all aspects of your life wherever you are faced with choices and need to make a decision.
Although there is no way someone can tell you "what to do," but if you use this three-step method and practice "how to" prioritize choices and come up with an optimal decision, you will minimize guilt and reduce your stress.
There is indeed a way to reduce stress in your process of making decisions.
Whether you are a stay-at-home-mom, a student or the CEO of your company, you are continually flooded with information and choices.
The trick is to learn how to make optimal decisions under your given circumstances, so that you can reduce stress and guilt.
Making good, stress-free decisions is all about making informed choices.
So how does one make "informed" choices? It is true that sometimes we are faced with making decisions that are dreadfully complicated to make; there might be no simple solution and sometimes the consequences aren't pleasing no matter which way we go.
This article is not an answer to what decisions to make in those situations, instead it offers a guideline, which if followed, could make any decision making process a little less overwhelming and could take some of the stress out of it.
On one hand it is fantastic that we have so many choices, but that can also create an excess of information in our brain, which can cause overwhelm and lead to stress.
Also at times we may think we are out of choices.
It is important to bear in mind that we always have alternative options.
Think of this situation: if you cannot stand your current job, but have bills to pay, a family to feed, then the "choice" of simply resigning today may not be the most realistic option for you.
This may make you feel like you don't have a choice but in reality, there is always some "choice" out there, regardless of whether we like the end result of taking it or not.
Keeping that in mind, there are three components to making stress free decisions.
We must use all three - logic, emotion and intuition.
Let's create a picture.
Suppose you are an exceptionally busy person, with several responsibilities and you also like volunteering.
Despite your hectic schedule you are asked to volunteer in yet another group.
You feel like you are in a dilemma - on one hand you know people are relying on you and you want to come across as accommodating and dependable - on the other hand you know you are over-extended with your already existing commitments.
It is indeed about prioritizing but how do you do that? How do you minimize the stress and guilt in the choice you make? Logic/Reason: Think of all the reasons that are solely logical - why you would want to do it and why you would not want to do it.
Make a list, at least a mental one.
This is where you would take into account your work schedule and the time commitment that is expected of you; when you are available and when you are not; vacation, holidays, what time you get off of work, gym, kids, pets, etc.
Compared to everything else in your life, how important is this particular new program to you? You can create a scale of 1 to 10 to answer that question.
Emotion/Feeling: Now think of your emotions around being in that team.
This is where you would take into consideration who you are around or the people with whom you will be involved.
Think of the work you will be doing.
What emotions do you feel? When you imagine making that appointment and being held by the commitment to attend the meeting, how does that make you feel? Are you doing this out of obligation? Obligation to whom? Do you feel you "should" be doing this? Why do you feel you "should?" Intuition: Once you have distinctly recognized your logical pros and cons, and have also become aware and mindful of your feelings and emotions surrounding the decision, this is when you explore your "intuition.
" In other words, what does your gut tell you? The very fact that you need some insight on this - what does that tell you? Tap into your knowledge and experience from prior similar situations.
How did you feel about those events and how did they go? How did those occasions turn out for you and everyone else involved? Do a bit of comparing, analyzing and projecting.
Needless to say, after you weigh the merits and demerits, whichever side weighs in heavier for you - you will choose that! Try using this technique in all aspects of your life wherever you are faced with choices and need to make a decision.
Although there is no way someone can tell you "what to do," but if you use this three-step method and practice "how to" prioritize choices and come up with an optimal decision, you will minimize guilt and reduce your stress.
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