Making Better Decisions
Sometimes, despite our skillsets and our values, our professional reputations are mostly based on our choices. How can you best decipher what’s right for your company? Your team? Your project? Yourself? Here are few tips, taken from Inc.com:
Practice When You’re Comfortable
While the ultimate goal is to break out of your comfort zone, it may benefit you to start practicing bold choices there first. Why? Because it’ll build your confidence before taking a larger leap. For example, maybe you’ve become a well-skilled marketing/IT coordinator, and want to get promoted to IT manager. As both good practice and good evidence for your promotion, why not take on some leadership responsibilities in your current position? Ask your supervisor if you can head a new project, if you can suggest a new approach, etc. Who knows? Maybe this will be your foot in the door.
Make Small Decisions First
Sometimes, indecision in bigger issues can cause indecisiveness throughout your day. Maybe you’re thinking about your big project coming up, and can’t seem to focus on your other on-going projects. Maybe you have a big decision at home that is seeping into your professional life. Don’t let it overwhelm you. Instead, focus on each little task and decisions that you can make with certainty. This way, your small decision on an ongoing project may build the confidence to deal with your bigger decisions.
Troubleshoot
When faced with a big decision, give yourself time. Why? Because gut instincts can be reliable, but wouldn’t you love to have time to test your theory as well? A good way to approach a decision is to really take the time to troubleshoot the options. Even if it’s ultimately up to you, gather your co-workers or other involved people and discuss the pros and cons of the scenarios. Maybe a person’s opinion will alter your viewpoint, or in contrast, strengthen it.
Review
Think back to your previous decisions, and also take time to review after you’ve made your current decision. How could the process have gone more quickly? What would you like to do differently next time? What tools and people were exceptionally helpful?
24
Apr
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