Decision Making

Decision Making Approaches

Which kind?

Usually when people ask about decision making approaches they are asking about the kind of model they could best use. Or they want a comparison of decision models.

But let's take a broader look at some decision making approaches that are commonly used.

Selfish or not?

Are you making a decision for yourself or for others? What I mean by this is that many people make a decision based on what other people will think of them. Or they make a decision so as not to displease somebody else.

This is not the same as asking for help or an opinion from somebody else. Very often, this is simply a normal part of the information gathering process.

But if you really want to make one particular choice, and you choose something else because of somebody else, then you're not making your own decisions. You're making the other person's decision. Which means you are living the life the other person wants for you. Not a good idea!

Oscar Wilde said that selfish is not living your life the way you want to, it's other people expecting you to live your life the way they want you to.

The timespace continuum

Other frequent decision making approaches include a consideration of a very small frame of time and space. Many people make decisions that hold up only for a very short time.

They do this because they only have their immediate comfort and safety in mind. They may choose an easy option so that they feel good and feel comfortable. But it doesn't deal with the underlying issue, which means that very soon they have to make another decision again.

When people use a decision making process that allows them to keep their integrity intact over time, there will be times when they make decisions that are not easy and they won't be comfortable. But they won't be compromising themselves either!

How far out?

Similarly with the decision making approaches to space. And by this I mean the number of people who will be...