5 Simple Ways To Be More Decisive And Take Control Of Your Life
Are you tired of feeling stuck and indecisive?
Do you want to learn how to be more decisive and make quick and effective decisions that lead to success?
If so, you're in the right place. In this article, we'll explore five actionable ways to be more decisive, so you can take control of your life and achieve your goals.
In a hurry? Listen on the go!
What Does Decisive Mean?
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, being decisive means "having the
power or quality of deciding". It means having the ability to make decisions
quickly and confidently.
It's about taking action and moving forward, rather than getting stuck in
indecision. Decisiveness is a key trait of successful people, as it allows
them to make the most of opportunities and avoid missed chances.
What Causes Indecision?
Indecision can be caused by a variety of factors, such as fear of failure,
lack of confidence, or simply being overwhelmed by too many options. It can
also stem from a desire to please others or avoid conflict, which can lead to
a reluctance to make a firm decision.
To overcome indecision, it's important to identify what's causing it. By
identifying what's causing your indecision, you can address the root cause and
work on overcoming it.
For example, if you find yourself constantly second-guessing your decisions,
it might be because you're afraid of making the wrong choice. In this case,
you could work on building your confidence and trust in yourself.
On the other hand, if you struggle to make decisions because you feel like you
don't have enough information, you could work on gathering more information
and doing research before making a decision – but it’s important to set a
limit and do this in a structured way so you don’t get lost in analysis
paralysis!
The Problem With Indecision
Indecision can have serious consequences for your personal and professional life. It can lead to missed opportunities, lost time and money, and a lack of progress towards your goals. It can also damage your reputation, as others may see you as indecisive or wishy-washy.
I knew a guy, let's call him John, who was known for being incredibly
indecisive. John would constantly go back and forth on even the simplest of
decisions, agonizing over every little detail.
This indecisiveness caused him to miss out on multiple potentially
life-changing opportunities…
For example, John was offered an amazing opportunity at a well-known global
company. The position had been offered to him on the spot, but instead of
accepting it right away, he asked for more time to think about it.
He spent days analysing every aspect of the job, from the responsibilities, to
the salary to the location, and by the time he decided to accept the offer,
the position had already been filled.
Another opportunity John missed out on was the chance to invest in a company
started by a mutual acquaintance of ours, that later became hugely successful.
When the opportunity was presented to him, John couldn't decide whether or not
to invest. He spent way too long researching the company, talking to people in
the industry, and weighing the pros and cons.
In the end, the opportunity passed him by when someone else invested, and the
company went on to make millions without him.
John's indecisiveness not only affected his career but also his personal life.
He couldn't decide whether or not he should move to a new city with his
girlfriend as part of a career move for her, which she took as a lack of
commitment, and she ended up leaving him over it.
I’m glad to say that John eventually realised that his indecisiveness had cost
him a lot in life. He sought help from a therapist and worked hard to overcome
his indecisiveness and has learned to trust his intuition.
Though it took some time, he eventually regained control of his life and ended
up making some great decisions that turned out pretty well for him – Learn
from John’s mistakes and don’t waste so much of your time pondering
decisions.
How To Be More Decisive
Okay, so hopefully now you realise the potential damage you could do to your life through indecision and DECIDED you need to do something about it, so lets take a look at 5 Simple Ways To Be More Decisive And Take Control Of Your Life...
1. Trust Your Gut
Your intuition can be a powerful tool when it comes to making decisions. If
you have a gut feeling about something, it's worth paying attention to.
Of course, you should still do your due diligence and gather all the facts,
but don't discount your intuition entirely. As Steve Jobs famously said, "Have
the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what
you truly want to become."
Reflect on previous situations where you had to make a similar decision. Did
it work out well? If so, then why doubt yourself now? If not, what did you
learn that you could apply this time around?
2. Set Clear Goals
Having a clear idea of what you want to achieve can help you be more decisive
and make decisions. When you know what your end goal is, it becomes easier to
weigh your options and choose the one that will get you there most
effectively.
As Tony Robbins said, "Setting goals is the first step in turning the
invisible into the visible."
3. Practice Decision-Making
Like any skill, decision-making takes practice. Start with small decisions and
work your way up to more complex ones. This will help you build confidence in
your ability to make good decisions, and you'll be better equipped to handle
bigger challenges down the road.
You can be, do or have pretty much anything you want in life, but first you need to make a decision to commit to achieving it.
4. Embrace Failure
Fear of failure can be a major roadblock to decisiveness - but the truth is,
failure is a natural part of the learning process. Embrace the possibility of
failure, and see it as an opportunity to learn and grow.
As Michael Jordan puts it, "I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career.
I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the
game-winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my
life. And that is why I succeed."
5. Use A Decision-Making Framework
Having a framework for decision-making can be helpful when you're faced with a
complex or difficult choice.
One example is the "Pros and Cons" method, where you list the potential
advantages and disadvantages of each option. Another is the "Four Fs" method,
where you consider the facts, feelings, flaws, and fixes for each option.
Whichever way you choose to do it, having a structured approach for dealing
with situations ahead of time can help you make a more rational and informed
decision in the heat of the moment.
Conclusion
Being more decisive is a crucial mindset for success. By using the 5 ways to be more decisive discussed above, you can develop your decisiveness and take control of your life.
In the words of Sir Richard Branson, "You don't learn to walk by following
rules. You learn by doing, and by falling over."
So, stop being afraid of making a wrong decision - embrace the fact that you'll make mistakes along the way, and use those mistakes as fuel for growth as you find your version of success!
Read Next: How To Be Productive: 19 Essential Habits For Productive People
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