Decision Making Process
There is no way that you can predict the future with certainty, and what seems like a
good choice today could be unsatisfactory tomorrow. The best you can do is to make a
decision based on the information you can reasonably gather, and then commit yourself
to making that decision work.
People use a wide range of styles to make choices. Being aware of the advantages and
disadvantages of these styles can help you to make decisions that will work for you. The
importance of thinking about how you make decisions, ways of overcoming decision making
blocks, how to make choices using a rational model, are critical.
How do you make decisions?
Some people make rational decisions based on a careful evaluation of all the options,
whereas others rely on their innermost feelings. Some over-analyse, and others jump at
whatever has initial appeal. Some avoid the process altogether by failing to acknowledge
that a decision needs to be made, or allowing others to make it for them.
Take a moment to examine how you have made some decisions that worked well for you.
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What process did you use?
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What did you do if the decision was difficult?
Having thought about a simple decision, ask yourself:

Do I approach major decisions in a similar way?

Would making a major decision be easier for me if I learnt a little about another
style?
1. Identifying decision-making blocks
A ‘block’ to decision-making is something that prevents you from making an effective
decision.
One of the most common blocks is the belief that there is only one ‘right’ decision.
Another potential decision-making block can be a belief that you have only one chance, that
if you get it wrong now you’ll be doomed to work that is not rewarding. In fact, if you do
land somewhere that is less than satisfying, you can at least build on your skill development
while you’re there, and this will help you to move on. You are always in control of your own
career and if it’s not satisfying, then you have a chance to change it.
Sometimes the block can be a belief that options are mutually exclusive: “If I take up
journalism then my interest in drama will wither away”. This need not be the case. People
can tackle dilemmas like this in many ways, for example by pursuing some interests outside
of work, finding an occupation that incorporates several interests, undertaking one area of
work in another industry (such as being an accountant in the entertainment industry), or
fulfilling different interests at different stages of life.
A different type of block is where you just can’t bring yourself to act although the decision
looks ‘rational’. In this case you could be pursuing something that is no longer right for you,
but that you have committed a lot of energy to in the past. Alternatively, someone else may
have over-influenced your goals. A strategy here is to re-evaluate where you are going, to
look for strengths and skills you have developed to this point and assess how you can
transfer these skills to a new area.
Another block is a lack of belief in your own ability: “I couldn’t do that!” Have you
realistically evaluated your skills and abilities against those expected of a new employee in
this field? Can you think of an occasion in the past where you adjusted to a new situation or
task more easily than you expected?
Many more blocks can hinder effective decision-making. Recognising that they exist is the
first step to getting past them. The second step is to develop a new attitude that helps you
to achieve your goals.
2. Making your choice – the rational model
The rational decision-making model is one way of deciding between alternatives. It involves
weighing up the positives and negatives of your options.
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draw up a sheet of paper describing each of your options

list the possible outcomes on all the dimensions that are important to you
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include the long-term as well as the short-term consequences plus any impact that a
particular option would have on your health, relationships with friends and family
members
Some of the items you consider might include the hours you’ll work or study, your income,
geographic location, promotional opportunities, personal enjoyment and the work or study
environment. Ultimately you are looking for the option that has the most positive benefits
for you and the smallest number of unresolvable negatives.
3. Take action
No decision is really made until you start taking action to make it work. Remember that you
always hold the power to change what is not working well for you and to improve those
things that are working well.