Research has shown that the typical person makes about 2,000 decisions every waking hour. Most decisions are minor and we make them instinctively or automatically — what to wear to work in the morning, whether to eat lunch now or in ten minutes, etc. But many of the decisions we make throughout the day take real thought, and have serious consequences. Consistently making good decisions is arguably the most important habit we can develop, especially at work. Our choices affect our health, our safety, our relationships, how we spend our time, and our overall well-being. Based on my experiences from three deployments as an Army officer and from researching Lead Yourself First, I’ve found the following mindsets to be detrimental to good decision-making. When you have to make an important decision, be on the lookout for:
6 Reasons We Make Bad Decisions, and What to Do About Them
Consistently making good decisions is arguably the most important habit we can develop, especially at work. But some things are detrimental to good decision-making. When you have to make an important decision, be on the lookout for decision fatigue. Our ability to perform mental tasks and make decisions wears thin when it’s repeatedly exerted. Decision-making effectiveness suffers by up to 40% when we focus on two cognitive tasks at the same time. So when you need to make important decisions, carve out and commit to several blocks of time during the day to focus deeply on the task at hand. Emotions, especially during moments of peak anger and happiness, can also hinder our ability to make good decisions. Pay attention to your emotional state, and resist the temptation to respond to people or make decisions while you’re emotionally keyed up. Practice walking away from the computer or putting the phone down, and return to the task at hand when you’re able to think more clearly and calmly.
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