Making Decisions
The rules of the road
As Yogi Berra would say, "If you come to a fork in the road, take it." Unfortunately, you can't go in all directions at once and you need to decide which road to take.
Use a map. Your personal mission statement, like a good map, will set the direction of your journey. Consult it often. You need to know where you are headed or you’ll never get there.
Read the signs. Take advantage of all the resources you have to make the most informed decision. Stay tight with your customers, look for insights beyond your specific industry, consult others, read — anything that will help you be more prepared.
Check your gauges. If you're tired and run down, you've ignored your family and friends or you’ve failed to invest in intellectual, emotional, or health aspects of your life, you may quickly find yourself on the road to ruin. And as you approach important decisions, don't forget to communicate.
Stop. Everyone wants to keep moving, to plow through projects, to finish the notorious "to-do" list. Stopping can keep you from going in the wrong direction. A brief pause can be incredibly productive. Try it.
Look. You need to have a clear vision of what lies ahead so you can make a better decision on which route to take. Often just a small shift in perspective changes how you react to a situation.
Listen. What do others have to say? As you evaluate the pros and cons of each option, determine which direction matches your resources and the customer needs. Then make the decision.
Shift into gear. Make an informed decision and then go with it. Immobility is not an option.
Don't look back. Too much time and energy is often wasted speculating on whether the decision was the right one. All of us have wondered about "The Road Not Taken." If you make a wrong turn, adjust your course and get back on track at the earliest opportunity.
Stay focused. Whatever decision you’ve just made, there are lots more ahead. Stay focused and stay informed and you’ll discover that the majority of your choices are the right ones.