Time always comes when a decision (big or small) needs to be made. With small decisions, most people are capable of processing the situation/circumstances and make a choice. When it comes to making a big decision, following are some of the methods generally used:
- Look at the facts and make a decision
- Discuss it with our confidant(s), analysis the situation and make a decision
- Try to avoid the decision if possible otherwise follow other’s opinion
- Follow our heart
- Mix and match the above
None of the above decision making practises are wrong. When making a big decision which involves emotions or life changing outcome is involved, the decision making capabilities become limited because of our emotions. Even when a decision is taken and put in action, we sometimes question or use ‘what if’, ‘only if’, ‘why’ scenarios. When we start to question ourselves or/and our decisions, our actions seem even more difficult to stick to.
I remember not long ago, I had to make a big decision of my life and emotions played a very big role. Because of those emotions, it was very hard to make the decision but even after I had made a decision, the ‘ifs’ came in to play and the emotions associated to my decision made it even harder to follow.
Next question is what happens to us when we are faced with a situation which requires our decision or change of circumstances. Below is a processes we generally go through. It is not necessary that we all go through every step or don’t go back and forth in these processes:
1- Numbness
2- Denial
3- Depression
4- Acceptances of Reality/letting go
5- Testing
6- Searching for meaning
7- Towards success
At the point of dealing with the after affects of our decisions, especially when the emotions come into play, we can follow some simple rules. The rules below are simple and doable. These ideas are based on our thinking behaviour/habits and can help you stick to your decision?
- Remind ourselves to why we made the decision at the first place
- Write down the points to what happened for you to make the decisions you did
Important note: These processes will take time to come into effect so keep doing it until you have been able to reprogram your brain.