As we round out our month talking about personal growth, it’s important to factor in our decision-making process. Last week we looked at the danger of rash decisions. This week we need to look at how to evaluate situations and make WISE decisions.
There are 4 types of decisions:
- Rash Decisions: Those decisions made in an emotional moment. This could be things like adopting a pet during the pandemic. Promising your team they can work remote forever. Buying a new home in the country in hopes you can work your Silicon Valley job there.
- Bad Decisions: These are simply bad choices. Maybe eating a donut instead of an apple. Choosing to get behind the wheel after too many beers. These are decisions you will probably regret.
- Good Decisions: Good decisions are positive choices. Taking up walking every day. Spending more time reading to your kids. Helping an old lady unload her groceries.
- Wise Decisions: These are decisions that might appear to be good or bad, but will have their results and effect happen later. This might be telling your kids to forego gratification now for a reward later. Opting NOT to take a vacation now and deferring it until your vacation savings account can cover the entire thing.
If you have the choice, the WISE decision is often the best one. In making a WISE decision, consider the following:
- Is the matter urgent or important? Urgent usually means making a good or bad (or rash) decision. If it’s important, then a WISE approach is best.
- Are you in full agreement with the WISE decision? If not, you won’t follow through with delayed gratification.
- Are you willing to make a life lesson from this decision? This is one of the greatest benefits of a WISE decision. The outcome is only part of the learning.
As you make the decision to personally grow this year, be sure your decision-making process is part of that plan. It will make every other phase of personal development much more effective.