Whenever I have to decide, I tend to think one way at one moment and a completely different way another time. The final decision may turn out to be different yet again. How do you think I should go about making decisions
systematically?
There are two things you need to understand. First, develop clarity of thought. A decision is the end product of a thinking process in which the decision maker entertains different possibilities in his/her mind. So it is natural, in fact essential, that you think of different thing in different ways at different times.
Secondly, you have to choose between challenging possibilities. You have to ensure that your choice, your final decision, is logical or optimal under the given conditions. Suppose you need a vehicle. You have a choice between a car and a motorcycle. How do you make an optimal choice? First, there are obvious, logically relevant, practical issues to consider.
“If I buy a car, I may have to sacrifice some other things I am used to.”
“It is dangerous and inconvenient for three of us to travel on a motorcycle.” “ It is easier to find parking place for a motorcycle than for a car.”
{{/usCountry}}“It is dangerous and inconvenient for three of us to travel on a motorcycle.” “ It is easier to find parking place for a motorcycle than for a car.”
{{/usCountry}}“If I have a car, I can use it for holiday travel for the three of us and my mother.”
In traditional terms, I am examining the pros and cons of the two competing choices. In the case of a very important decision, you may take a piece of paper, and write down pros in one column, and cons in another, and study the two carefully before deciding.
There is another method, called “Ben Franklin Report Card Method”, which can help you make a sound decision. You want to buy a car, and you have a choice between a Maruti Alto and an Indica. On one side of a piece of paper you can note down the important considerations behind buying a car, e.g., cost, durability, safety, fuel economy, aesthetics, availability of spare parts, resale value.
Then, under two headings, namely, Maruti and Indica, give scores with respect to these features, say seven for Maruti and five for Indica for cost. Use all available information, and seek expert advice to assign scores for all the elements in your card. After all the scores are recorded, you can calculate the aggregate for each of the brands. Go for the brand with the higher score. You can use this method for choosing between two or more brands and between two or more models of the same brand.
If you fail to choose between alternatives in spite of the use of these methods, don’t think you haven’t arrived at any decision. That you haven’t chosen between car and a motorcycle or between a Maruti and an Indica means that you have decided NOT to buy any automotive vehicle. If you don’t buy, don’t think you have not decided. You have decided not to buy. You have opted for the status quo.
This is an extract from the author’s book, Enhancing Life — The Art of Inner Awakening.