A Decision Making Process

Robert Frost once wrote, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”

“The Road Not Taken” poem involves a traveler’s decision to choose the less traveled and more difficult of two paths emerging from a fork in the road, unfortunately for him, he made the wrong choice, and in doing so, he steps on a Mojave green rattler (life). And in this instance, nature or rather mother earth, once again throws us a curve ball.

Our take away from this poem? We go through (the road) of life and make choices, no matter how small or large; the “road” of life, then symbolizes us making informed choices.

And now enter a decision making process that you too, could use, for most of life’s choices – but, not for a walk in the park or woods.

Does the above decision making process look complicated to you? Let’s break it down a bit, and see if you don’t, already do, something similar today.

So, how do you go about moving from point A to point B in your life? Are you letting fate or past experiences guide your life – or, do you use some sort of process?

Step 1 – Identify the problem that you now have before you. Should I zig or should I zag?

To make an informed decision, you need to first identify the problem that you need to solve or, the question that you need answered.

If you misidentify the problem to solve, or if the problem you’ve chosen is too broad, then you’ll miss the boat or, derail the train before, it even leaves the station.

If your goal needs to be measurable and timely then plan for it to be that way.

Step 2 – Gather relevant information

Once you have identified your problem or goal it’s now time to gather all of the information relevant to that choice.

Step 3 – Identify the alternatives

With relevant information now at your fingertips, identify three possible solutions to your problem.

There is usually more than one option to consider when trying to meet a goal—for example, I want to lose a little weight. Here are three options;

Cut back on carbs and cut back on sugars and starches, or carbohydrates. …

Eat protein, fat, and vegetables

Lift weights three times per week

Step 4 – Weigh the evidence

Once you have identified multiple alternatives, weigh the evidence for or against each of the alternatives.

Step 5 – Choose among alternatives

Here is the part of the decision-making process where you make the decision.

Step 6 – Take action

Once you’ve made your decision, act on it! Develop a written plan to make your decision tangible and achievable.

Step 7 – Review your decision

Did you solve the problem? Did you answer the question or meet your goals?

Your past decisions have had a great influence on where you currently are in life.

Your decisions from this moment on will have a greater influence on where you will land in the future.

Trawlercat 4/1/2021