I’m so happy we have the freedom to volitionally choose. Out of all the luxuries in our world, there aren’t many things better than the freedom of choice.

Imagine going to buy clothes, a car, or perhaps a home and a salesman or saleswoman telling you what you will buy. What if you didn’t have a choice? How would you feel?

We make simple decision everyday about things such as what to eat and drink, but there are more complex decisions we will have to make.

There are times when we can make quick decisions, but there are other times when we should be careful and deliberate with our decision-making.

In our culture, I have discovered some disturbing findings. Many people are making quick decisions with situations of significance while others are being decisive about things of insignificance. The success of your future depends on your ability to make smart, sound decisions regardless of whether they are a quick or careful and deliberate.

Here are 3 steps to help you shape the success of your future when it comes to decision-making.

1. Survey the situation. It sounds easy enough, but many times too little time is spent with this step. Most people make decisions based off of gut instinct. However, there are 4 ways to survey a situation.

A) Gut Instinct - This method is based off of experience and intuition. It is the common method utilized to survey a situation regardless of whether a person has experience or not, which can be big problem for those with little experience. Experiential surveying usually has some sort of emotional connection, which is why it is called a “gut” instinct. It may lack objectivity, but it is a strong method of surveying a situation due to previous contacts you may have had with the situation you are dealing with. Discover 8 ways of sharpening your intuition in The INTUITION of a Leader.

B) Data - If you are utilizing this method, I suggest your data be raw. Raw data has to do with individual facts, statistics, or arbitrary inputs. This can be helpful, but it can also limit your ability to make a sound decision because an incomplete way of surveying a situation. You can have facts, but still lack knowledge of the situation.

C) Information - Information is a more complete data set, which surveys a situation through fact collection with the presence of content and context. Information has a way of resolving uncertainty.

D) Knowledge - Knowledge is just refined information. It is information that has been tested and/or validated.

You can’t afford to skip or short cut surveying your situation. The time spent with this step can make or break your future.

2. Come up with a provisional decision. Indecisiveness usually occurs because people fear making the wrong decision. First, even the best leaders get it wrong many times before they get it right, but it is about minimizing the number of poor decisions. To help with making better decisions, a provisional decision should be made. The one thing guaranteed in life is change; so don’t be afraid to change your decision. I have to say there are some decisions you can change, but it will hurt your character / reputation. For an example, any decision reflecting your integrity, character, morals, and values could possibly hurt your life’s success if you continue to change your position. But most situations will permit a person to make a provisional decision.

3. Think about the people your decision will affect. Every decision we make affects someone. You should ask your self how your provisional decision will affect others in your life.

We are far from being robots, so our ability to volitionally choose should not be taken for granted.

Question: How do you make your choices?

Peace and Prosperity,

Bryant Hall

MTN Universal, LLC