Decision Making

Disclaimer: I generally proof read my posts. After proof reading this one, I found this little boar. Please bear it full or quit right away ;)

Of late I have been caught in myriad of choices. People who know me would not find this an unusual development. However, there is quite a difference in the options this time. As I have grown in professional and personal aspirations, and simply in my age my risks taking and diversity in various force pulling me have grown at similar if not faster pace.I don’t see much substance in discussing each of my current options here. Some even should not be made public. What I see important here is to discuss the cognitive thought process, the decision making process one goes through and in process, I hoping to find some solutions for myself.

When all the air around the subject is removed, decision making is a simple process of problem solving that you do based upon your prioritized interests, inculcated core values, and future benefits. Understandably when you are engaged in a thoughtful process to make a decision there will be several divergent yet enticing options.

I think it is paramount to first consider what interests are most important to you. For instance, you may have option to use your Friday evening in either of the two ways: Read a latest book on your favorite subject or spend the night out in theatre to watch a newly released movie. Now both the options are equally luring. Here you will make a decision based on your prioritized interests. If you are more outgoing types and have company of few friends, perhaps you will pick the movie. At the same time if you are introvert types or don’t have friends to accompany, you are likely to pick the book. In our subconscious mind we do such analysis very quickly and arrive at the decision based on our prior experiences, our personality, and indexing of events that we do in our mind.

The second factor, the inculcated core values, is quite direct. If you follow your core values you are likely to turn the gray looking things quickly into black or white. For instance, if since your childhood you have believed in honesty you are likely to return someone’s fallen 100 Rs note immediately. However, if your value system is not that strong then you may prefer savoring your favorite food or drink with that money. I think it is really very important for people to identify there core value system. A busy professional if decides that he will value work / profile over money then he is not likely to be confused when provided with several professional opportunities. Similarly if a businessman makes excellence his core value then he is not likely to compromise on the quality of product/ business he produces even though it may result in short term profits.

The third factor- future benefits is really what brings you to the decision making process at the first place. I have deliberately placed this as third factor since if placed on top it may turn you hazy over the first two factors. While the analysis of the benefits of pursuing some activity is very important, I think it more important to put the benefits in right perspective. The prospective benefits should really compliment your analysis of first two factors – Your Interests and your core values.

As we have discussed in general about decision making, its time to mention some technical and methodical ways. I read about several of the decision making techniques such as Six Thinking Hats, Grid Analysis, Pareto Analysis, Paired Comparison Analysis, Cost / Benefits Analysis. You may find these wonderful techniques here

Each of these seemed a great fun to employ and quite effective. I liked the Grid Analysis the most simply because of its comprehensive coverage, simplicity, and fun. I am going to use this option tonight to arrive at some wonderful results.

Happy Decision Making !!!