EFFECTIVE DECISION MAKING

There is a saying that “no objective leads to no end”. Yes, every one should have an objective. Before reaching a junction we should know where we should go. When there are several options, and we have to take a decision we are a little bit confused. The dilemma prevailing in our mind may not support us to reach to a conclusion. A Confucius mind may not yield good results. So, our mind should be trained always so as to take an effective and a positive decision.

Now, let us know what does a decision means and how an effective decision is made. When we encounter with a problem and the options are many, our mind will be in a state of wavering. Final solution or conclusion cannot be found. Here we require determining which way is good for us and find a firm solution to our problem. Choosing a final solution and believing that the solution gives us good results is called the decision.

While taking a decision we should ensure that our decision is specific one. We should ascertain our strengths and weaknesses. We should realise that we and only we are responsible for our decisions. Some times it may be necessary to seek suggestions from others. We may act on others suggestions. Irrespective of the results, we should accept the responsibility. Because, when we take a decision and act accordingly, we should be prepared to face all the consequences arise there upon. It is not appropriate to make others responsible for our decisions.

Before taking a decision, we should ensure that all the solutions to the problem are to be considered. Our decision should not lead to ambiguity. It should be very clear cut. One should not forget that an unequivocal decision gives us the strength to complete our job very effectively. Once the ambiguity engrossed is removed from the mind and all the senses are activated and diverted on the subject a result oriented solution will be found for the problem. A subject specific decision can only yield good results.

For example, if a person seeking employment wants to enrich his experience in many a different fields, he may not succeed. Instead, if he is specific to a particular field and put up all his internal strengths in that direction, certainly he achieves his goals. One should be able to visualise the result of his decision. A result oriented and positive decision presents us the courage and strength to face the consequences there upon.

When a situation warrants a quick and prompt decision, we should not delay it. It is always to keep in mind that the preference always dominates the result of the decision taken.

The decisions are of two types. One is routine decision and the other is strategic one. A routine decision does not attract much attention but a strategic decision requires high degree of attention. In order to accomplish what we dream, we should activate and accelerate the inherent talents of ourselves. As we know that the delayed decision is a denied decision, we should never delay decisions. When a routine decision yields no good results a strategic decision keeps us in front of our peers.

Decisions are two types. One is verbal and the other is written or non-verbal. Irrespective of the type of decision, the decision depends upon the information received or the data collected. When we ought to take a decision, we have to collect data or the information from all the sources and analyze the pros and cons of the decision.

The collected data is the prime requirement for a good decision. But the reliability of the data depends on the source of the data collected. What, when, how and from whom the data is collected is more important. All these factors play a vital role in the reliability of the data. If the information collected is far away from the subject, no matter how precious the information, is of no use.
In some cases, the information may be relevant but the data is outdated, the collected data is of no use.
In some instances the information is relevant and is up to date but it is not scientific. In such cases also the data is not useful.
In some cases, the information is relevant, up to date and scientifically collected but the reporter is not reliable, then also the information is useless.

Only after considering the reliability of the data from all the sources one is supposed to take a decision. Such decisions will be effective and helps in upgrading our career potential. At this juncture, it is not to forget that any decision either good or bad, taken by us reflects directly or indirectly upon those who are related to us. That doesn’t mean that we should not take a decision. We should make decision-making a habit of us. We should accelerate the mechanism involved in making the decision. The following may help to promote the habit of decision making.

1) When a routine decision on small matters is to be taken, do not postpone it. Take a prompt decision.
2) When multi faced solutions are available select your choice. And be firm with your choice.
3) Once you took a decision, rub-off all the alternatives from your mind and just stick up to your decision.
4) Once a decision is taken and all the alternatives are forgotten, you will have no other option left except to go with your decision. Act upon your decision till you achieve your goals. Concentrate all the latent energies and drive the same towards your challenges.
5) An important thing in this aspect is that never try to postpone either your decision or your action. If you want to postpone anything postpone your postponement idea.

The “ Management by objective” mainly deals with planing, organising, leading and controlling. These are the qualities of a manager and sufficient for a limited sphere of areas. But, when a manager wants to transform into a leader, he should create and follow-up constantly in addition to the above. As time does not permit a leader to defer his decisions till he receives information from all the sources, he has to take decisions on the spot. Ever changing market strategies and political scenario does not permit anyone to delay ones decisions. Constant updating of information and keeping sufficient data always ready will make the things too easy to take a decision on the spot.

Decision-making is very important throughout life. We must realise that life itself is a series of decisions. A right decision will lead us to success and on the other hand a wrong decision can ruin our life. So, we should never endorse the decision to others, which we are supposed to take. As we are the owners of our decisions we should not subject others to be the scapegoats.

At this juncture, I would like to specify those factors, which determines our decision-making capacity.

1) Attitude contributes much in our decision-making capacity. The result i.e. positive or negative depends upon the attitude we display.
2) Our commitment plays a prime role in our decision-making. If we are strong enough and stick up to our decision, our job is half done. Our commitment itself drives us to our destiny.
3) Remember that the Altitude of our decision is decided by our attitude. If our attitude is proactive, we rise to high levels and achieve our visionary targets.

Here are some tips that may help in our progress.

1) Read stories of success. By continuous reading of stories related to success, our mind receives positive thoughts. Such thought leads us to a positive thought pattern, which in turn motivates us to attain the path of success.
2) As and when time permits one should make a habit of listening to the motivational cassettes, speeches, conversations etc., so that one may involve and be motivated to cultivate a habit of positive thinking.
3) There is a saying that Birds of same feather will flock together. Always it is better to get associated with the people who are positive and committed to their specific goals.
4) Associating with people who are successful will change our attitude.


5) Physical and Mental relaxation is required. A mind subjected to stress cannot take a wise decision. Out door plays and doing yoga will present us physical fitness. Meditation and some exercises relating to mind will give us peace. When we relax, our energy magnifies and the capacity for withstanding stress is multiplied in many folds. In a relaxed state we are able to take a right decision at a right time.

6) One may be very busy, still a little time is to be allocated to oneself so that the internal reactions can be judiciously judged. Whenever we achieve a small success, we should learn to appreciate ourselves. Self-appreciation will motivate us to attain further big achievements.

Normally, we hesitate to take a bold decision. When we are at a multi-cornered street and could not decide where to go, naturally we are confused. This is because lack of confidence. It indicates that we do not trust our self. We may trust somebody but we don’t have confidence on us. Many a time we are allowing our latent talents to sleep. No attempt is made to wake them up. As long as we are in ambiguity, we cannot take a bold and wise decision. Yes, we have to wakeup our inner senses. We should attain consciousness. We should realise that we posses enormous capabilities in us. Let us start our vehicle and drive in a right direction. We are capable to overcome any obstacles, which may cause hindrance in our journey. Once we prepare mentally, every thing is possible. Trusting us and preparing ourselves is the key for our progress.

There are three laws, which governs the universe. They are:

1) The physical law
2) The mental law
3) The spiritual law

The iron is hard, the butter is smooth, the ice is cold and the sun is hot. This is the physical law. Normally it is not changed. But when mental law enters in the field the physical law is changed. Once all the senses are brought to consciousness anything is achievable.

For example: We know that the ice is very cold and when it is touched our finger freezes. Can we imagine sleeping on an ice block? Perhaps the answer is no. But, when a Hypnotist suggests his subject who is under deep hypnosis, the subject sleeps on the ice block comfortably. Here the mind is surpassing the physical law. This is the power of mental law. Just try to understand the power of our mind. Once the latent energies are awakened and motivated towards achievable subjects, no matter whatever difficulty it may be that will be won.



As much we practice, proportionately our mental energies grow. As much the inner energy we utilise so much is transformed. So trust yourself. Realise your self-image. You can make miracles. The following will explain some of the ways to develop healthy self-image.

1) Always enjoy who you are.

We do not have money. So what, we adjust our wants to our resources. We may be rikshawala, so what, we are proud to be the owner of our riksha. We are what we are. Yes let us accept what we are and enjoy ourselves.

2) Accept yourself as you are.

Do not cover your personality. It may be a fact you are not beautiful. So what. You have ability to deal the matters. Never try to disregard yourself. Your capacity, your ability when displayed may make wonders, which you may not believe. A beautiful, handsome guy may not do the same. You are very intelligent and kindhearted. Others may not be. Therefore, try to accept yourself as you are. You may be unbeautiful physically, but remember that you can supplement it by displaying a good character.

3) Try to enhance your self.

Our puranas revel that everybody is in a particular state. His journey starts from that point or state. One has to excel self-state and travel to attain the par-excellence. Constant practice bestows on us the state of par-excellence. So, always update your knowledge, improve your skill and try to prove yourself. The deep desire leads us to a right direction.

4) Seek support of your friends.

Who is your best friend? Who will stay with you for a longer time? Irrespective of your acceptance who is reconciling your deeds? Who is suggesting you always a right path even if you ignore? If anybody put these questions we list several names, but we just forget to name our own.

There is nobody else, except your inner-self that is your best friend. Always seek the help of your inner-self. We may have many friends around us but very few of them understand us and move nearer to us. They only guide us in needs. They bestow their well wishes on us. A situation may arise when we may have to seek the help of our real friends. The available information may not be sufficient. We may be in dilemma. Then they help us in finding a solution for our problem.

We are capable, we have worth, we have a decision making power. We also realise that we are responsible for our decisions. Also we are aware of the reflections of our decisions. Even then we cannot live alone in the world. We are connected to the society. We are supposed to discharge certain duties towards society and family. We should have friends but not for chitchatting. Therefore, when time demands we should seek the help of our real friends and vice versa.

5) Recognise your worth:

Aspiration towards a high goal is a hallmark for anybody’s success. When you aspire something assess yourself. Strengthen your capabilities. Regularise latent energies. Drive towards your goals. Determine yourself that you are not stopping till you achieve your goals. This requires worth. Your achievement will be directly proportional to your worth. If you are worthy, your ambitions are fulfilled. You can realise your dreams. Otherwise your dreams will become false and deceit. Therefore, before starting anything, recognise your worth judiciously. Wherever necessary, try to sharpen your abilities. Think from all the available angles and come to a conclusion.

6) Define your attitude:

Attitudes are more than what we are. Our attitude decides our fate. A positive attitude leads us to a road of success. When we are negative the doors for success are closed. So always try to redefine your attitudes. Always see that your ability supplements your attitude.

7) Have faith in yourself.

Faith power works wonders. Faith opens the doors and doubt closes the doors to the power. We have faith in God and we have faith in somebody, but we don’t have faith on us. Somebody completes a work and we appreciate that person. Most of the times we do can perform the work but we never try it. When certain person can do a work why can’t we. When we realise our strengths and weaknesses and have faith on us it is not to wonder if we do miracles. When we attract unlimited energy into us, we can do any thing. Yes, impossible can become possible, provided we have faith on us.

8) Never be an ambiguous:

Most of us cannot overcome the dilemma prevailing in us. We are not confident whether we can do the job or not. Once you realize your power you can do it. Yes, it is a fact. Remember always that a person who thinks he can, he can and a person he thinks he can’t he can’t. Your positive thinking helps in achieving things.

A man who is self–reliant, positive, and optimistic and undertakes his work with the assurance of success magnifies his condition. He draws all the power of the universe. So be clear, and open your mind and ignite your intellect and reap the fruits of success.

You have taken a decision and want to implement it. As long as the decision is concerned to you alone, no problem good or bad you only take the responsibility. When others participation is there in the decision you are supposed to prove yourself to be loyal. Your attitude and actions represent your loyalty. When you are loyal you win the trust of others. Your trustworthiness makes your things too easy. So, be always positive and be loyal and win the hearts of the people.

It is well known to everyone that learning is a continuous process. You know which is the fastest running animal… that is nothing but a Cheetah. You know why it runs…. Yes because it learns to run. Yes we should make Cheetah our role model while displaying our talents. Don’t sail with others heart and mind sail with your own.

Accept or choose a job you love. Once you chose the job love it. When you find a job or work, which you love, needs never to work even a day in your life. You enjoy the work.
Now-a-days most of us are subjected to stress. It is because we don’t take proper decisions in time. Even if we take a decision we are not aware of the process of a decision. There are 5 steps in decision-making. They are

1) Determine the problem / matter
2) Get the facts and opinions about the problem / matter
3) Develop alternative solutions to the problem / matter
4) Select the best alternative to the problem / matter. While selecting the solution be aware of your strengths and weaknesses.
5) Have a feedback always.

While analyzing and selecting the best alternative pay attention to SWOT analysis. Which is as follows…

S - Strengths
W - Weaknesses
O - Opportunities
T – Threats

Communication skills play a vital role in the feedback mechanism. An effective communicator develops a value-based system and communicates in a perfect way. The system will be clear and the decision is also fully protected and controlled.

You have taken a decision and ready to implement it. But unfortunately an obstacle came on the way. Are you going to withdraw the decision? If so, you are defeated. You have calculated all the pros and cons before taking the decision and determined to implement it. Then what is making you to withdraw? No, never loose the game. Don’t stop till you reach your destination. That is the right sprit. That is your commitment. Your commitment implies that….

1) You are dependable
2) You are reliable
3) Your predictability
4) Your consistency
5) You are caring
6) Your empathy
7) Your sincerity
8) your sense of duty
9) your character
10) your integrity
11) your loyalty

Our attitude, our commitment and our preparedness are our strengths. We are the lawmakers of our dynasty. Let us be positive, be proactive and accept responsibility. Sky is the limit for our reach.

When we have enormous power within us and capable of doing anything, why should we keep idle. Let us think well, act better, and do better always. Being a human being is a boon for us. Let us make use of the boon.

Wishing all the best,