How to Make the Right Decisions

Before you know how to make the right decisions, you need to know the elements which can support your decision in every sphere of your life, especially your career.

Your life is where you are because of the choices you’ve made in the past. You may have made better decisions if you are happy with your current situation.

Example: Most overweight people carry that extra weight because they have decided to overeat or eat the wrong food. This wasn’t a one-time decision but a series of decisions over time.

Similarly, fit people tend to be that way due to good decisions.

For example, when their alarm goes off in the morning, they have the option of staying in bed… or going to the gym. If they choose the gym, these decisions will result in leaner, healthier bodies over time.

That is just one example. Every day you make decisions that affect not only the present moment but also what your business and life will look like in the future. And that’s why you need to learn how to make the right decisions, which include:

R—Research

I—Investment

G—Guidance

H—Hindsight

T— Thought

Taking a closer look at each component.

1. Research

You have the decision to make. Your first step is to figure out all your possible options. And to do this, you must spend time researching all these possible options, solutions, or answers.

Whatever you do, you might find the best way to uncover your options, but it depends on your situation and how you must handle your case.

Here are a few possibilities:

• Ask for a variety of opinions. You can do this offline with friends and family. Or you can do it online through forums, social media, or other appropriate niche communities.
• Google it. If you have a problem or decision to make, plenty of others have gone through the same problem, and you can find your options by searching it.
• Read a book on it. You’ll probably find books on the topic if it’s a big problem or decision. Check out a bookstore like Amazon, where you can instantly download a Kindle book.

2. Investment

Your next step is to look closely at the options you uncovered.

Now assess these options honestly, asking yourself which ones will require the most minor investment of your time, money, or other resources.

Generally, with all things being equal, the easiest path—the “path of least resistance”—should be considered among your top options.

3. Guidance

Earlier, I suggested that one way to uncover your options is to ask for other people’s opinions. Now you can take this a step forward and not just seek out opportunities but request guidance in helping you choose the right option.

Generally, you’ll seek someone qualified to give you an informed answer. Depending on what you’re asking and who you’re asking, you may need to pay a consultation fee.

This is why it’s good to uncover your options first. That way, you only need to pay to have someone help guide you to the best option, rather than paying someone to explain all the options to you.

Example: If you’re looking for guidance to operate your business as an S-Corp or an L.L.C., you should consult an attorney to get the most qualified advice possible.

You may not need to turn to a paid professional in other cases.

Example: If you’re interested in getting a dog, you may talk to a knowledgeable friend to help determine what kind of dog is right for you.

4. Hindsight

In hindsight, they say 20/20 is the rule. Therefore, you should look back on Make sure to ask yourself what worked and didn’t. Next, ask yourself how you can apply these lessons to your current decision. 

Example: Let’s suppose you’re trying to lose weight. And let’s assume that you almost always see some success, get complacent, and go off your diet. In that case, you need to make sure you don’t get complacent this time, so perhaps you’ll:

• Make a lifestyle change rather than going on a temporary diet. That’s because some diets are nearly impossible to follow for an extended period.
• Get an accountability partner. This is someone who’ll help you avoid complacency.

In other words, learn from your past mistakes and successes to make the best choice today.

5. Thought

Now that you’ve uncovered and evaluated your options, your next step is to consider your decision. Ask yourself: What is the most “logical” course of action?

Naturally, that’s going to depend on what type of decision you’re making. However, here are some general guidelines to consider:

• Which options will give you 80% of the solution for 20% of the effort? (The 80/20 rule.)
• Which options will produce the best results in the shortest amount of time?
• Which options will produce the best results while having a minimal impact on other factors? (Each decision creates a ripple effect; these ripples can be positive or negative.)

Conclusion 

It’s so simple: If you want to change your life, you must make better decisions. And while you can certainly commit to making better decisions, you’ll only be able to do this once you start making the R.I.G.H.T. decisions outlined above.

No, you don’t have to go through this process for small decisions (like eating grapefruit or orange with your breakfast). Still, you should use this system to help you make the more significant decisions (the ones that will have more significant consequences in the future).

That’s right! Start making better decisions today, and see if you don’t have a better tomorrow.