#DecisionMaking

The Indecision Conundrum

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THIS ARTICLE ENTITLED, “THE INDECISION CONUNDRUM” IS BY DR. SHANNI DOVER

 

Hello again, Dear Reader.  This article will again be a departure from previous articles. Moving away from psychology, I will discuss the indecision conundrum. Let’s take a closer look.

 

The Indecision Conundrum:

When we hear the word indecision, we often have a negative connotation surrounding this concept. However, a guru once wrote, “If in doubt, wait.” These words have guided me through much of my life. So, what if we reframed indecision as positive rather than some kind of failing? This is the indecision conundrum that I refer to: the choice between inaction and an impulsive decision.

Merrian-Webster defines indecision as:

A wavering between two or more possible courses of action: irresolution; faltering; hesitance; vacillation.

As you can see, this definition is far from positive with the exception of the word, “hesitance”. The word hesitance does not necessarily imply failure. In fact, hesitance can indeed be very adaptive in one’s life.

Hesitance is defined as, “to delay momentarily; to pause”. This pause can be beneficial, as long as the moratorium ends and a decision is made. Some do get caught in the trap of indecision. Thus, the indecision conundrum.

Abundant parables of life exist…parables meant to guide the way. However, often these parables paint indecision as a failing. Yet, how many of us have run headlong into a situation without sufficient reflection upon the possible outcomes of our actions? The consequences of our actions without proper thought can definitely be disastrous.

Thus, we can clearly see the indecision conundrum represents dialectically-opposing views. Those views being, patiently waiting to choose as more information presents itself, “weighing out our options” vs. taking action, “seizing the day” and ignoring our intuition.

The trick appears to be pausing long enough to gather sufficient data while not procrastinating. The illustrations just presented can hopefully provide some understanding regarding the indecision conundrum. Much of what you have read are cliches that we’ve probably heard all our lives. We typically adopt the cliches that we feel best suit us. Therefore, we can justify taking action, or not taking action, based upon these indoctrinated beliefs.

What if we were to throw away these old adages and colloquialisms? What if indecision were reframed as a positive life-tool? This is well within our power; to adopt new beliefs and/or discard beliefs that no longer serve us. Thereby, we transmute the negative connotations we may have about waiting, and use the wait to our advantage.

These words, “use the wait” could prove to be quite valuable. That is, if we don’t abuse the wait. Another quote can offer some edification here, “By not choosing, you have chosen”…again, the indecision conundrum. However, by using the wait effectively, we can more often than not benefit from reflection.

Reflection:

With reflection, we can more likely come up with alternates we may not have considered before. Reflection on our values and goals helps to prepare us for life’s uncertainties. As uncertainty appears to be a mainstay in life, one’s awareness of uncertainty and the limits of knowledge offer us a different perspective. We find that most problems invariably have multiple solutions. By reflecting upon solutions, we empower ourselves. We offer ourselves the best possible answers to our afflictions and we can escape the indecision conundrum.

Conclusions:

Indecision has had a negative connotation, often painted as weakness. I propose that we reframe indecision as something more…something more akin to wisdom. By waiting to decide while perusing options, we can make better, more effective choices. Furthermore, by embracing the wait, asking questions and writing down our ideas we see that waiting is not necessarily faltering, but instead it is a strength with which we can capitalize. Finally, by being mindful of the length of our wait, we can make efficient choices while not falling into the indecision conundrum.

As always, Dear Reader, please feel free to leave comments and/or questions below in “Join the discussion”. I check back throughout the week to look for your thoughts. Until next time, stay safe and healthy. Cheers!

 

 

 

THIS ARTICLE ENTITLED, “THE INDECISION CONUNDRUM” IS BY DR. SHANNI DOVER

 

Decision Making, Part 3: Steps to Improve Strategic Decision Making

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THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE ENTITLED, “DECISION MAKING, PART 3: STEPS TO IMPROVE STRATEGIC DECISION MAKING SKILLS” IS BY DR. SHANNI DOVER

 

 

Hello again, Dear Reader. In the last two articles in this series, “Decision Making”, definitions and literature were reviewed. Also noted was the distinction between strategies and tactics as these terms pertain to decision making. In this last installment, I will review ways in which to improve strategic decision making abilities. Let’s take a look.

 

 

Strategic Decision Making:

As discussed previously, our ever changing environment can have a deleterious impact on our ability to make cogent decisions. This is particularly true when the environment imposes some type of threat. These threats on our lives can often throw us into panic mode in which our bodies are literally preparing to do battle. In this heightened state of awareness, our body releases chemicals that prepare us for fight or flight. Historically this response likely saved lives, helping to ensure continuation of the species. However, in modern times this panic mode can deplete our resources and leave us incapable of effective problem solving.

 

The success of our problem solving can hinge upon variables that are certainly beyond our control. Therefore, it is imperative that we attempt to make wise life choices. As we can currently observe, there are many unpredictable and uncontrollable aspects to our lives. Given that this ambiguity is unavoidable, it would behoove us to learn ways to make better decisions in the face of adversity.

 

Making sound judgements in our frenetic, uncertain world can be problematic at best. In 2017 (the Oracle), “11 Steps To Improve Your Strategic Decision Making” was published. Although this is a business related article, review and application of these steps can perhaps assist us in our daily decision making endeavors. The eleven steps are as follows:

 

  • Simplify the battlefield – By identifying the parsimony in any ill- defined problem, decision making skills can be augmented. Define your priorities while considering your options. Then, rank those options in order to choose the best option to move your decision making forward.
  • Get comfortable with the cost of deciding – By refusing to decide, we are in fact making a decision. Therefore, when you feel stuck in problem solving you must self question. By asking yourself questions such as, “Am I moving forward?” one can be more mindful in the decision making process. Costs of indecision can include severe anxiety over past mistakes and future decision making. Remember, in facing decisions we will undoubtedly face unknown elements. These unknowns must be faced with courage.
  • Control your emotions – Yes, an almost impossible feat but control can be exerted over your own actions, which includes how you choose to process your feelings. Furthermore, the more important the decision, the more emotional we can become. With this in mind, we must impose rational, logical thought in any decision making process. To do so, we must courageously face fearful situations with a rational mind.
  • Understand that logical decisions have a secret emotional component – Even seemingly rational decision making will invariably contain an element of emotionality. The trick is balance. Three questions can be asked, “What’s the upside?”, “What’s the downside?”, and “Can I live with the downside?”
  • Know what you want – Ask the questions, “Is this getting me closer to my goals? Or is it taking me away from my goals?” Discard ideas and/or elements that take you away from you desired outcome.
  • Say no – Here it is suggested that we say no to everything outside of our core goal of successful decision making. Skilled problem solving requires one-pointed attention. When something enters the equation, ask, “What’s the best case scenario?” and “What’s the worst case scenario?” These questions can help guide our decision making.
  • Build a filter system – Here it is noted that good decision making is often run through filters. By asking questions such as, “Does it (the decision) impact me and my family in an ethical, moral and positive way?” and “Does …the decision help…my growth plan?” Without some kind of filtering process, we can flounder when given a number of possibilities to examine.
  • Proximity is power – It is here that the authors note that, “…it’s a culmination of multiple experiences that truly shapes your insight in the decision making process.” They indicate that we must place around us the people/means by which decisions can be brought to fruition.
  • Do your homework – Due diligence is required when decision making. Do the necessary research required for you to make wiser judgments. Complex decision making may require advice from experts. It is suggested that 2 to 4 people could be sought for input. To build a reliable method of decision making, a team approach could be implemented with friends and/or family.
  • Build an A Team – Gather the necessary information to improve strategic decision making. By tapping a variety of sources in a team type approach, we can potentially gain knowledge that will help us to make smarter decisions.
  • Develop wisdom – Good decision making brings rewards; conversely, poor problem solving will bring undesirable consequences. Taking into account our experiences can change our level of knowledge acquisition. By accommodating new information, we gain personal insight essential to growth. Thus, we can develop wisdom in our decision making.

 

Conclusions:

We have learned that decision making can be an arduous and complex endeavor. However, applying some simple questioning strategies, we can develop wisdom in our decision making processes. As problems are faced in life, we can improve our decision making skills, ultimately improving the quality of our lives.

 

As always, please feel free to leave comments and/or questions you may have pertaining to this article. Please let me know what is of value to you, and what you would like to see more of herein. I will be taking a brief hiatus from these writings. Until the next time, Dear Reader, stay safe and healthy!

 

THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE ENTITLED, “DECISION MAKING, PART 3: STEPS TO IMPROVE STRATEGIC DECISION MAKING SKILLS” IS BY DR. SHANNI DOVER

 

 

Decision Making

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THIS ARTICLE ENTITLED,”DECISION MAKING” IS BY DR.SHANNI DOVER

 

Hello again, Dear Reader. For this week, I will begin to discuss decision making in a series.

The art of decision making can be quite daunting for many of us. As we consider our rapidly changing environment, we witness prominent individuals making decisions that do not appear to be cogent. Indeed, we may even find ourselves in doubt about our own decision making, second guessing our choices. Clearly, powerful stressors in our world can lend to the difficulties surrounding making choices and taking action. Let’s take a closer look.

 

Definitions:

In the field of psychology, researchers have posited a variety of theories with regards to decision making. Those studies gave rise to research investigating strategies and tactics that could impact our decision making skills. But once again, we must consider environmental stressors currently at work in our world. By doing so, we can certainly understand the interest in studies acknowledging the potential impact our environment has on our decision making skills.

Lipshitz & Strauss (1997) discuss that coping with uncertainty is a natural component involved with making decisions. These authors note that we are dealing with unknown variables when we are making choices. They wrote, “Coping with uncertainty thus lies at the heart of decision making.” Clearly it follows then that when stressors accumulate and more uncertainty is present, our skill in making choices can be deleteriously impacted.

The uncertainty inherent in this second decade of the 21st century can definitely have a negative impact on our decision making. These uncertainties can render the individual anxious and undecided. Choices tend to become obscured and problematic. Therefore, decision making skills can suffer as a result.

Within the literature on decision making, ‘hesitation’ in opting for a choice was noted, and was defined as, “holding back in doubt or indecision…to pause” (Barnhart & Stein, 1964). Upon review, we can see that the concepts of uncertainty, risk and ambiguity are rife in scientific literature; indeed many researchers have studied the effects of uncertainty in making decisions  (Thompson, 1967; Corbin, 1980; Brunsson, 1985; McCaskey, 1986; Orasanu & Connolly, 1993).

Marsh (1981) described two decision making models which appear to be prominent: Consequential action and Obligatory action. Consequential actions require that the decision making process include the questions, “What are my alternatives?”, What are my values?”, and “What are the consequences of my alternatives for my values?” Obligatory action requires a different set of questions: “What kind of situation is this?”, “What kind of person am I?”, and “What is appropriate for me in a situation like this?” By answering these types of questions, some resolve may be obtained in making decisions. This type of lucid questioning can assist in the implementation of a strategic plan for making decisions.

The effects of uncertainty when taking action cannot be underestimated and may indeed prove to be deleterious to the process of decision making. When dealing with the unknown, we could reach the conclusion that all of  life is a probability statement.

In reaching this conclusion, we may better understand the impact of unknown variables in our choice of actions. We may also come to the understanding that the concepts of ‘possible’ and ‘probable’ are very different. By considering these notions, individuals can subsequently create new working constructs. Ultimately, this adaptation  could entail the creation of a superordinate construct in which the consideration of probabilities can provide clarity to our every day decision making.

 

 

Summary:

Clearly, researchers have acknowledged the impact of ambiguity on decision making. In fact, some research focuses entirely upon one’s tolerance for ambiguity and the implications of that tolerance. Thus, with regards to decision making, stressors in the environment can indeed play a key role in efficacy of decision making. By defining some of these stressors, we can begin to gain self awareness and knowledge with regards to how we make decisions. This metacognition (thinking about our own thinking) can facilitate our understanding of our actions/choices, ultimately improving our decision making skills.

 

For next time, we will review some strategies and tactics proposed by researchers that can facilitate decision making skills. Until then, Dear Reader, please feel free to leave any questions or comments you may have and I will respond to those as I see them. Stay safe, healthy and positive.

 

 

THIS ARTICLE ENTITLED,”DECISION MAKING” IS BY DR.SHANNI DOVER