Ben Means Business

"There is no more miserable human being than one in whom nothing is habitual but indecision." -William James

Entrepreneurs are faced with tough decisions everyday. Our very value, as leaders, is placed in our ability to identify problems, analyze information, and make decisions. Therefore, having a standard process is key to becoming an effective decision maker. Without it, we are just running in circles; plagued by scrambled thoughts and paralyzed by indecisiveness: . So, what is the best method for making tough decisions? Well, let's take a look.

The Decision Making Blueprint

1) Identify the problem
This one is pretty self explanatory but it must be done. One of the things that hinders our ability to think clearly is our proclivity to magnify the consequences and obscure the problem.

2) Determine the Importance
How important is this decision? Usually there are 3 basic options. You can make something better, worse, or just a lateral change. If the decision cannot make things worse, it is not a tough decision. We must save our "stress" for truly tough decisions and situations. Remember, your indifference (or lack of knowledge) about a decision does not make it tough. Therefore, learning to identify importance can help to bring clarity to your decision making process.

3) Identify the Facts
What things do you already know to be absolute truths about the situation. Forget all of the hypotheticals that we drum up. Right now, you just need the facts.

4) Identify the Options
Develop a list of options or possible solutions to your problem. In this step, you don't want to consider consequences. You just want to write down ever possible solution you can think of...even the dumb one's. Sometimes, what you initially see as "dumb" will look like pure genius once all the smoke has cleared.

5) Consider the Outcome
Identify the worst and best case scenarios. Attempt to associate those scenarios with the options you have already identified. Analyze the likelihood of each outcome being a result of each option.

6) Pray About It
"If any man lacks wisdom let him ask of God who giveth to all men liberally" - James 1:5

"But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." - James 3:17

Sometimes, prayer will make us more comfortable with a decision and this can be our confirmation from God. Look for guidance from him and you cannot go wrong.

7) Make a Decision
Using the knowledge you've gained from steps 4, 5, & 6, make an educated decision.

8) Create a Backup Plan
Attempt to identify ways that you can absorb some of the shock in case your decision causes things to take a turn for the worse. The reality is that in most cases we are forced to make decisions with limited information. We utilize the limited information available to us at the time, and as such, must make those courageous decisions fully prepared to make adjustments in case of an emergency.

For more on decision making, see: Emotions: The Leading Cause of Death

Can you think of any more steps? Please leave your suggestion in the comments section