Mastering the Game of Life 2.1
(Monday)
Context
Nobody wants to make a bad or wrong decision, but in life, just like in chess, decisions must be made to move forward. In challenging situations where there is no clear-cut option, the best course of action is to choose the most viable option available at the time, even if it carries some inherent risks.
RULE 5: A 'bad' choice is better than no choice at all.
What it means: This rule underscores the importance of making decisions based on the information you possess at the moment. You can't know if a decision will work unless you make it. Every decision, whether it yields positive or negative outcomes, offers valuable learning experiences. In this context, 'bad' simply means the best choice available given the information at hand.
Why it matters: Throughout your career and life journey, you'll encounter situations where you lack complete information to make fully informed decisions. Alternatively, you may face options, each of which carries potential negative consequences.
In such scenarios, instead of succumbing to the fear of making a wrong choice, it's essential to select the best available option. Indecision can lead to hesitation and procrastination. Making decisions when all options involve some level of risk necessitates the development of other soft skills like foresight, logic, problem-solving, self-confidence, and a commitment to lifelong learning.
However, those who can make sound decisions based on the available knowledge are the individuals entrusted with making significant choices in challenging circumstances. They are the ones assigned greater responsibilities.
Decisiveness is a hallmark of successful people.
Primer Questions
Do you like to take responsibility for making decisions? Why or why not?
Are you a decisive or indecisive person?
Do you normally ask others to make decisions for you?
Write down your answers and observations in your journal.
Decidophobia is defined as the “irrational fear of making decisions.” In its most extreme form, those who have this fear may experience full-blown panic attacks when even thinking about having to make a decision.
You may not have a true phobia about making decisions, but are you able to make decisions based on the details, information, or knowledge you have at the time?
Paralyzed by Perfection
Some people hesitate to make any decision at all or will ask others to make the decision for them because they don’t want to make a wrong decision.
How can you overcome the fear of making a bad decision?
Watch the video.
Through trial and error rats can learn how to navigate a maze. They learn from making bad decisions. They make many bad decisions, in order to ‘learn’ the way out of the maze.
Choosing a 'bad' option should not be confused with making a hasty decision. It's essential to carefully assess all your available choices, considering various outcomes and associated risks. However, you should not let uncertainty paralyze you into inaction. Making decisions is crucial to maintain progress toward your goals.
In both professional and personal life, don't shy away from tough choices. Strive to analyze your alternatives thoroughly, and then exhibit decisiveness by making a selection, even if you are uncertain about the eventual outcome. Even if your decision later proves to be suboptimal, embrace it as an opportunity to learn. Avoid indecision, as employers typically have little tolerance for team members who struggle to make decisions.
Maze Learning
Download the map. Give yourself 30 seconds. If you don’t complete the maze in 30 seconds, start again and give yourself another 30 seconds.
Now here’s the important part. The goal of this exercise is not to complete the maze in 30 seconds. The goal is that you improve with each attempt. Each attempt should build on the last.
If you really want a challenge, try the online maze tool, using the same instructions as above. Again, don’t focus on how many attempts it takes to complete the maze, but on how each attempt allows you to build on the last.
What would you do?
Scenario: You and three friends get lost while hiking. It’s a hot summer day, and you run out of water. What are your options? Choose one of the three options below, or write down your own option. Explain in your journal why you made your choice.
Option 1: Stay put. You run the risk of not being found, but at least you won’t become dehydrated by walking around in the sun and heat. With this option, you hope that you are found before you become severely dehydrated.
Option 2: You can try to find the trail again, or find help without any water. You run the risk of becoming dehydrated from all the walking and exertion. With this option, you’re hoping you’ll find the trail or help that will lead you back to the parking lot and your car before succumbing to dehydration.
Option 3: There is a small puddle nearby. The water is not moving and is murky. Your third option is to fill your bottles with this murky water and try to hike out, only drinking the water if you absolutely need to. You run the risk of getting sick due to bacteria in the water. With this option, you hope that the murky water will prevent you from becoming dehydrated long enough to find help or get back to the trail and parking lot.
Metacognitive Goals
This week we want you to really determine if you shy away from making tough decisions. One way to tell if you have a problem with making decisions is if:
1) You procrastinate making a decision. It’s ok to take some time to do research or ask others who are more experienced. But if you still procrastinate or hesitate to make a decision even after considering all the factors, you have a problem making decisions.
2) You are indecisive. If you keep changing your mind regarding what option you should choose or what decision you should make, you have a problem making decisions.
3) You ask others to decide for you. If you are constantly asking others what they would do, or just ask them flat out to make the decision for you, you have a problem with making decisions.
If you determine that you do have a problem with making decisions, then ask yourself why. Write your answer in your journal, or discuss it with others.
Thought of the day.
True leaders feel comfortable making a decision based on the limited information they have on hand.