We can often trace the most significant challenges in our life to just a couple of poor decisions. Effective decisions require clear thinking and accurate perceptions of the situation and how the world works. It's easy to allow mental errors to lead to making a poor choice.
It's
not always easy to make a wise decision, but we can do things to
increase our odds.
Consider these mental errors that
can degrade your ability to make a wise decision:
- Failing to consider the
long-term implications. Short-term thinking can
lead to long-term challenges. Many of us focus more on the short-term than
the long-term when making decisions. We choose the yummiest food to eat or
the most enjoyable way to spend the next hour.
●
In most cases, we are better
served by considering the long-term implications of our decisions.
For example: I would love to sleep in
or hit the snooze button when my alarm goes off at 3:45 am. But the reason I
committed to getting up so early is, so I have time to meditate and work on my
business before I must get ready for my day job. The long-term reward is a
successful business and a calmer mental state and focus.
- Survivorship bias. We often look at the most successful people as a template for
success. We assume their way is the best way. However, this fails to take
into account all the people that follow the same strategy but fail.
●
For example, many successful
people fail to graduate from high school, but it would be wrong to assume that
education isn't helpful to success.
●
Many people have put in the same
time and effort as LeBron James or Michael Jordan but failed to become
professional basketball players. Perhaps there are other reasons for their
success that you haven't considered. A different approach might work better for
you.
●
Some of the most successful people in our society have been successful despite
their process. It's not always easy to identify when
this occurs.
●
Some people remain abstinent with or without any treatment, and neither
could be a reason why they are. If you are trying to
stay clean and sober and the same old programs haven't worked (even if they
have worked for others), try something different!
- Overemphasizing loss
versus gain. Humans are naturally more sensitive
to losing something they already have than motivated to gain the same
item. For example, most of us are more bothered by the prospect of losing
$100 than we are motivated to earn $100.
●
This frequently happens in new businesses. A brand-new
business is highly motivated to grow. However, once it reaches a certain size,
the owner begins to worry more about protecting what the business has gained
than he is in growing further.
●
You don't have to break the bank to be successful, but you do have to
spend money to make money. Think of it as an investment instead of an expense. An investment that
will pay off one way or another. Either you will win, or you will learn. Both
are valuable if you treat them as such.
- Confirmation bias. We have a natural tendency to interpret facts and situations in a
way that supports our current beliefs. For example, highly religious
people tend to interpret all good fortune as proof of the presence of God.
●
Those who believe that hard work
is all that matters will ignore any other factors that contribute to success.
They will also ignore the concepts of luck, talent, and mentorship.
●
How are your current beliefs
tainting your interpretation of your life and your environment?
- Fatigue, stress, and
other forms of discomfort. You've probably made
more than your fair share of ineffective decisions while being tired,
overstressed, or physically or psychologically uncomfortable. Discomfort of any kind can negatively
affect the decision-making process.
·
Next time you need to make a decision H.A.L.T! Ask yourself, am I hungry, angry, lonely, or
tired? When you experience any of these, the cognitive part of the brain is put
on hold. Your body cannot think clearly. This is when most impulsive and bad
decisions happen.
- Personalization. Sometimes, we take things too personally. We might believe that
we didn't get a promotion because the boss didn't like us. But sometimes,
people make decisions that have nothing to do with us.
●
Everyone has things going on in
their life that we don't know about. It's a mistake to assume that everything
is about you.
Fewer unwise decisions result in greater
success and happiness. We create many of
the challenges we face in life by making poor decisions. Try to remove as
many bad decisions from your future by understanding what leads to poor
decision-making. Make great decisions and enjoy a great future!
Do you feel overwhelmed and stressed over all
the "things" in life you need to do? You might be putting your recovery
in jeopardy if you're just trying to wing it. If you are tired and want to
learn a better way to live in recovery, then click on the link below. It will
bring you to a guide who can direct you on the right path that best suits your
needs.
Recovery doesn't have to be stressful, and you
don't have to do it alone. Click on the link now and start living the life you
deserve!
Like my
posts? Please follow
me on Facebook or Instagram under Recovery Enthusiast. I also have a podcast on
Anchor and Spotify under Motivations 4U. I'm also on YouTube; you can follow my
journey. And to learn more about my guides to recovery,
go to recoveryenthusiast.com
As always,
stay blessed and live your life Enthusiastically!!
Comments
Post a Comment