Somehow in all that we do as professionals we find creative ways to foul things up—make dumb decisions with disastrous consequences. These decisions occur in our classroom, office, sports stadium, home, and just about every other venue we frequent. They typically involve relationships with colleagues, students, friends, family, and animals.
Why do these bad decisions keep happening? Haven’t we learned anything from our past mistakes? Maybe, but we still are able to discover new ways or repeat old ways to botch up critical relationships in our lives.
Why do we make bad decisions?
Here are 4 reasons or conditions under which we make the WRONG decision:
1. When we’re tired and impatient. We get frustrated waiting for others to take action or we are just tired mentally, physically, and/or spiritually. Making an important decision at a time of weakness is unwise. We always need to act from a position of strength. Our impatience may prompt us to jump the gun and make the wrong decision.
2. When we feel we can do it alone. We may be under the illusion that we are in control, but the information we have available may be inadequate, inappropriate, or inaccurate. Pride may interfere with our willingness to seek counsel to obtain the best information for the right decision.
3. When we rely on bad advice from someone we trust. There are people in our lives who can steer us in the wrong direction, unintentionally or intentionally. When we place our faith and trust in colleagues, friends, and family members, we can receive bad advice. Sometimes it’s difficult to discern who has the expertise that will guide our decision-making and who has our best interests at heart.
4. When our reasoning is faulty. Frequently our reasoning behind a decision can be faulty, unwise, imperceptive, and difficult to untangle. Again, we can get into trouble without realizing it because our thinking is off-track and incorrect. A fresh brain examining the same situation can provide valuable insight into the right decision.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Make decisions from a position of sound mind, body, heart, and soul.
2. Be patient when you depend on others before making a decision.
3. Seek a mentor, coach, or advisor who can provide appropriate and independent guidance for the decision. Do your homework thoroughly before picking this mentor. You may need more than one.
4. Don’t hesitate to obtain advice anytime on any decision from an appropriate advisor.
COPYRIGHT © 2010 Ronald A. Berk, LLC
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