Every Accomplishment starts with a Decision.

Every accomplishment in life starts with a decision. From the simple ones like what to wear, what to eat, to the more challenging ones like, which university to attend, making a business decision, choosing a life partner. The list goes on and one. Because we are faced with so much decision making on a daily basis, it becomes very important to make rational decisions for our ultimate good and the good of others.

Decision making is regarded as the cognitive process resulting in the selection of a belief or a course of action among several alternative possibilities-In other words the act of thinking of alternative things and choosing between them. Every decision-making process produces a final choice that may or may not prompt an action.

Biggest Decision I had to make (In my Mid 20’s).

The biggest decision I had to make was forfeiting my professional career as an Engineer, to pursue my passion for music. I have faced some other conflicting situations after then, but that singular action was a major turning point as regards my life’s purpose. Could I not have pursued my passion and calling in Music and still practice as an Electrical Engineer? Maybe I would have if I knew what I know today!

The option of pursuing my life’s passion straight on gave me the liberty to explore and be my own boss(I have never liked a nine-to-five job). Even though practising as an Electrical Engineer could have given me some sort of financial leverage back then. The option of following my lifelong passion paid off in terms of my fulfilment.

WHY IS IT DIFFICULT TO MAKE DECISION?

Every time and in every way we find a need to choose between many options and alternatives to life. Deciding which option or options to take becomes very difficult. There are  factors that could be responsible for that, which includes;

*Trapped feeling”- This feeling is often experienced mostly in relationships or business-we feel we have invested so much into such ventures and feel obliged to go on, even at the risk of huge losses. There are quite a number of people out there who are in toxic relationships and for the fear of being alone, they are stuck in such situations, others are involved in ventures that are choking them but for the fear of being jobless, or what people will say, are trapped in what they hate.

*Fear of losses-Decision making is much more difficult when it involves a painful choice. Sometimes the right course of action will hurt in some way. I remember when I had to make a choice either to continue in a particular relationship or to let it go, deciding to let go was heartbreaking especially because the person involved was much more than a friend. It was becoming a toxic relationship, which had to end.

Decisions are an act of the will, and they are always influenced by the mind, emotions or both. The decisions we make in life does not only affect us alone but other people around us. As I flip through the pages of scriptures and history I am reminded of Individuals and people who affected kingdoms, Nations, Ordinary people who took territories, captured cities, and became great models for family, and others who became destructive just by the act of making decisions.

Factors to consider when making a decision in any given situation.

At every given time in one’s life, making decisions are inevitable, but most importantly acting on them position you for accomplishment and achievement in any area of life. I have come to realise, as a result of the many decisions I have made,(the good, the bad, and the ugly), that there are factors to consider in order to accomplish any goal yourself and for the greater good of all.

*Identify a problem/opportunity-Good decision making is an essential skill of life, and brilliant opportunities are often “spotted” in any decision making process.

*Gather information-Get all the necessary information.

*Analyse the situation-By weighing all the possibilities available to you as regards the situation.

*Develop options/alternatives.

*Evaluate your alternatives-which of them will best achieve your objectives

*Select the best alternative -Every decision will involve some level of sacrifice and risk-taking.

*Review your decision. Ask yourself questions like (a). will it make me happy? (b). will it bring me closer to ideal life’s vision?. (c) If I don’t do this will I regret it in the future? 

If you re able to answer yes to 2 of the questions, I believe you are on the right path. It is always better to do what you are not sure of, and watch how things play out than to avoid doing it and live in “should have, would have, could have”!.

*Act on your decision-Put a plan in place to implement your decision and take action.
Most of the time, a great accomplishment never align with popular opinion. Whatever decision you have to make today, that will help you become your ideal person, and also help others, go ahead and make it. It may not look like much at the initial stage, but it will pay off in the at the end of the day.

To your accomplishment!

 

©OBA 2015.