Subject: FYI: Making Better Decisions
Date: Mon, 29 Jan 1996 09:11:34 EST

[Some thoughts prompted by reading]

    Effective decisions are built on reality.  Indecisions,
half-decisions, and hiding your head in the sand are based on illusions
and delusions.

    To make better decisions, you need to put your mind and your heart
behind them.

Cognitive Steps to Better Decisions 
or
How to put your mind into your decisions

1.  Stop doing what isn't working.

    This sounds simple, but making the decision to stop and change is
crucial.

2.  Look at the real need.

    Focus on necessary, basic results.  Avoid mere attractive glitter,
personal wants and desires, and wishes.  Ask yourself "what would I like
to have done?" instead of "what could I do?"

    Do you really have to make a decision, or is this someone else's
problem?  When do you have to make a decision?  How irrevocable is the
decision?

3.  Develop options

    Gather information--both facts and feelings--to define and refine
the options.  Observe and verify whatever you need to make the options
clear.

4.  Think it through

    Imagineer it--if we did this, what would happen?  What kind of
results would fill the real need?  What will probably happen?  What
would be the worst possible result?

Personal Commitment to Better Decisions
or
How to put your heart into your decisions

1.  Integrity

    Are you being honest with yourself?  Is this something you can do
with integrity--with your whole self?  We often believe in fictions--in
self-delusions--because we think they are safer or more comfortable than
reality.  One way to do a "reality check" on yourself--ask other people,
listen to them, and see what "resonates" with you.

2.  Intuition

    What would you do if you weren't afraid?  Listen to your
subconscious--your "gut"--and see what your whole being is telling you.

3.  Insight of Individual Value and Worthiness

    What do you believe you deserve?  What do you do, and what do your
actions reveal about what you believe you deserve?

Make The Best Decision You Can

    Don't let yourself be paralyzed by the search for the best possible
decision--a better decision, made in time and acted on, is worth any
number of perfect decisions that aren't made in time and are never acted
on.

    Stop, look for the real need, develop options, think it through. 
Make sure you are being honest with yourself, let your intuition work
with you, and make sure you are acting in a way that reflects your
belief in yourself.  Talk it over with others, and take time to make the
best decision you can.

    Finally, having listened to yourself and others, with the best
understanding of reality that you have been able to develop, make the
best decision you can and act on it.

    Let other people know what your decision was and what you are
planning to do about it.  Make sure they understand both why this is the
best decision for your mind--and why you are committed to making this
work.

    Then watch what happens and learn from it.
--------------------------------------
based on "Yes or No: The Guide to Better Decisions" by Spencer Johnson,
1992, ISBN 0-06-016857-9