Life is a cycle of choices and their consequences, we are
expected to make choices from the moment we wake up to the moment we retire at
night. The choices can range from small insignificant choices such as whether
to shower warm or cold water, what to wear, which route to take, what to have
for breakfast and so on. We are constantly making decisions whether consciously
or unconsciously.
Decisiveness is defined as being “characterized by firmness
and decision.” Being decisive means that you have the ability to decide. From
the strength of a decision you then have the ability to act. Leadership
requires that you are able to make key decisions effectively. Decisiveness then
simply means being the leader of your own life. Decisiveness is both a skill
you can build and an internal state you can summon when you need it.
Decisiveness does not mean being stubborn, arrogant or hasty.
Decisiveness is simply the ability to decide with speed and clarity. In any
situation the ability to decide is crucial. Whether it is with an emergency
room doctor or the high school graduate debating what to do with her life,
without clear decisions there can be no action and no results. Inside your
skull sits the most powerful processing unit in the known universe but without
decision it goes unused.
Being decisive is simply the most rational way to take on any
problem. You observe the information you have available and then you decide
what would be the most successful course of action. If it is possible to get
more information, you decide how to get it. If you can’t get more data, you
simply decide with the facts available.
Successful people are decisive and they try far more things
than other people do. According to the Law of Probabilities, if you try far
more different ways to be successful, the odds are that you will eventually
find the right way for you at the right time. When you become decisive and
action oriented, you shift your entire life into high gear. You get far more
done in a day than other people. You move ahead far faster than the people
around you.
The ability to make firm decisions quickly is a skill that
can be practiced. You can start by simply timing how long it takes you to make
decisions. Minor decisions, such as what movie to see or restaurant to go to,
should be made in thirty seconds to a minute. Once you get used to making
decisions rapidly you will start to realize that clear, firm decision making
often results in better decisions then ones where you stew around with the same
information over and over again. Running in circles, indecision is usually
procrastination not problem solving.
Don’t look for certainty in the world before deciding to act.
Don’t wait for others to make decisions for you. Operate from an internal
source of strength and plan the right course of action. Be decisive and choose for
yourself.
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