MAKE A DECISION: My Thought Process When It Really Matters

Making decisions is one of the hardest things to do as humans because the outcome of our decisions has the power to shift the course of our lives, either to make or mar it. It's understandable that some decisions are small and we can decide on them without spending much time on them, such as what to wear, eat, and the like.But on the other hand, some are ambiguous and could be life-changing in either direction, and that's why I, for one, usually take out time when I find myself in such situations to reflect on it. Then follow some process that has, through the years, helped me navigate such complex situations, and today I'd love to tell you about those measures I put in place before making critical decisions.

Before making any decisions, especially complex ones, my first measure is to seek clarity about it. That's trying to understand why I need to make the decision. What brings about the need for that action or change? By being able to understand what led to such, it usually goes on to motivate help in being able to put emotions aside and cut through the fog so as to get to the core of what really matters.

After clarity on the situation, there are two ways to what I do next. In some situations I might resolve to seek help or advice from others, especially wise people or people I know have passed through the same and overcame, and on the other hand, sometimes I just find a way to quiet the noise of the outside world, not that I don't value the counsel of my friends, family, or people's past experiences, but because through the course of my short life; One of the things I've learned is that not all voices deserve a vote. In truth, I might listen to them, but ultimately I try to look inward to know what aligns with my purpose and value, and the good thing about this is that since I've been doing some, which refers to having my internal compass, it has never once failed me.

Another aspect I take into consideration when making decisions is the weight of the consequences. That's looking into the best- and worst-case scenarios. If I can live without the worst case or not, if yes, then all I have to do is forge ahead with the decision, and if not, I just look through how to prepare myself for the worst if things go south. Take, for instance, I recently complained about not having electricity for the past eight months in my community and how that has led to some of my home appliances getting damaged due to no usage or so.

So I'm at a dilemma of either buying a generator that can help me have some constant power supply to keep those appliances running or investing the money meant for the generator in my site. If I were to ask my fiancée or anyone else for advice, I know most of them would go for investing in the site, not caring about how that decision would not only affect me and my appliances. Up until now, I'm still thinking things through to know which is the best resolve.

Lastly, I also consider timing before making any decisions. That's knowing when a decision is right but at the wrong time. For instance, while reflecting on the dilemma I cited above, there are no signs that power would be restored anytime soon, so am I ready to continue to live under such circumstances for the next few months or years? And if I were to invest on the site, do I have the money to complete it so I can move in? Of course not, and that's why most times I've learned not to rush into things, especially because of how it feels about it, so it won't become something I'd regret later. Asking a simple question of if it's raining right now to forge ahead or remain patient is an essential ingredient in my decision-making measures.

I understand some people also have faith in their measures; that's praying about it. On my path, I won't say I'm that kind of person anymore. I've come to accept that not every decision will turn out perfect, which is okay, because mistakes are part of life, and they teach us valuable life lessons too. What matters is that even if things don't go the way I wanted, I can still be proud of myself that I chose courage amidst it all. After all, making a decision isn't about being perfect but about being present and purposeful.

All photos are taken and edited on canva.