Decision, Choice
WhyYou Take Wrong Decisions in Life?
Actually, there is a way to minimize this
Have you ever counted how many decisions you make in one day? from the outfit you will wear, the food you want to eat, what tasks will you prioritize, when is it time for you to check social media, reply to chat, and much more. Research has shown that person makes about 2,000 decisions every waking hour.
We often associate with something big when we hear the word “decision”. In fact, there are many minor decisions that we take in a day, and most of them we make instinctively or automatically. Someone who is picky usually needs more consideration when deciding even for small things. But in my opinion, we all must have at least 1 aspect that makes us very selective when making decisions. For example, there is someone who is more simple with outfits but is very choosy when choosing a place to eat or vice versa. Okay, that’s just an example of a small decision, the discussion will be longer when we are faced with the time to make a big decision. Regret for making the wrong decision hurts, I’ve felt it and it took a long time to let it go.
Here are some reasons why we make the wrong decisions:
1. Decision Fatigue
When we are tired, our concentration decreases and we cannot think clearly. Especially if you add mental fatigue at the same time. Lack of energy is really not an ideal time to make a decision especially if it includes a big decision. However, we don’t always get to choose. Many unexpected things happen, then suddenly we have to choose and decide.
2. Multitasking and distraction
Based on Standford's research, chronic multitaskers actually on a single task. They just juggle from one task and another. Which actually makes the job take longer to complete because your brain needs time to adapt from one task to another. This also applies when it comes to making decisions. When you are forced to focus on many things, then having to make important decisions at the same time allows you to only make decisions based on feelings.
3. Lack of insight
Sometimes, wrong decisions because of the lack of knowledge about the issue so the visible options are only limited to our knowledge. In fact, there may be more options out there that are far more beneficial for you.
4. Emotion
In my opinion, emotion is one of the complex parts of behavior in being human. It may be difficult to understand the component because humans can feel more than one emotion at the same time. Most of the time the emotions beat the logic that really doesn’t make sense to and more tend born a biased decision.
5. Intervention
I am actually really passionate about talking about psychology issues but almost all of my family members encouraged me to take a chemistry major. I was still 18 at the time, so I was not brave enough to listen to myself. I’m quite sorry if I remember that because, in the end, I didn’t take any jobs at all in my college major. Though I know that learning never wastes my time even in the end is not linear with my career, there is a side inside me that still thinks that maybe I can become an expert and qualified faster in my current line of work if I take another major. What I feel, I used to still feel afraid to be different because I thought the decision that other people chose was the right decision. Until I realized that there was actually no right or wrong decision. There are only a few risky decisions no matter what I choose.
I think everyone does ever took the wrong decision in their life at least once. But, I list down some points that I hope can minimize wrong decision
What do you want for lunch today?
Have you been asked that question above by a friend or your coworker? then if there is that question, have you ever answered “just the same with you” or any kind of answer like that? If yes, I think you need to create one new habit start today. Even though it looks trivial to you, but actually micro-decision also plays an important role in how we decide on big things. Take a break for 5 minutes focus to think about what you want to eat that day. Try to make choosing your lunch on your own. Even if all coworkers choose a different menu. Although trivial, this will train you to listen to the voice inside you more than anyone else. Try from small things and take your minor decisions intentionally.
Give yourself something that is most worth to you
You’ve heard the statement that if someone takes time for you, it means they are giving the most valuable thing because time can’t be returned. I agree with that statement because time is the most valuable thing we have. Then please, give yourself that precious things, yes give yourself time. At least, try to spend the time by yourself only to listen to what your need, before you ask someone else’s opinion and are prone to over-intervention afterward. Because we will not feel satisfied if we depend on other people for decisions. There will still be a feeling of being stuck even though it turns out to be a pretty good decision in the short term.
Expand the perspective
Although I encourage you to listen to your voice within, I still don’t like biased decisions. That’s why I believe mini-research is necessary. List down the pros n cons as many as you can find. Only then do you ask what you want? Try to find as many alternative solutions as possible. Because often we feel stuck on one decision because we feel that is the only way out of our problems. Even though there may be many other solutions out there, we should be able to think about them more, especially with the help of digital information that is easily available. For example, for some reason, I really feel unsuitable for office work for various reasons. Maybe because I get bored easily with repetition and my introverted character makes me tired more easily when working in a team. But in the past, I still lived with that because I felt that was the only potential. In fact, I know that I was wrong because now there are many fields of work that can be done remotely or freelance.
You need to ask yourself this
The worst case may happen. Of course, the worst case is also packaged with the good part. Usually, people dare to take the worst risk because indeed the good part of it, if it works, is really worth it. But, learn to objectively measure ability. Don’t just focus on the success part but imagine are you ready if the worst case happens? If you have already made one decision, make sure you are ready for the worst scenario as well. One more, don’t stick to the plan too much. Get used to preparing a backup plan if it turns out that what you fear actually happens.
Neutral Point
If possible, try to make decisions when you are neutral. Not too happy, not too sad, not stressed, or physically or mentally exhausted. You can meditate and exercise more to reduce stress and increase focus. Think logically first then listen to your conscience. Neutral conditions when making decisions help you minimize biased decisions.
Bottom Line
Wrong decisions are actually not always bad. However, there is an X factor that we cannot control no matter how detailed our initial considerations are. So, don’t be too hard on yourself when you make the wrong decision. There are many things that we cannot understand and cannot find the answer to at any time. Instead, it is time to focus on the backup plan that we choose when we consider this decision. We never know because decisions that we think of as shortcuts so that we can reach our dreams more quickly even though the path is more painful and uncomfortable.
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shoutout for Anthony J. Yeung who writes such simple tips to upgrade life
