Making Decisions

 

Though right or wrong, you're bound to find relief in making up your mind.
-Thornton Burgess

 

"The act or process of deciding.  A determination arrived at after consideration.  Promptness and firmness in deciding."    Webster, 1995


On a scale from 1 to 5, please rate how each question describes you.

   1                    2                    3                    4                    5
Not at all                                                                       Hey, this is me

_____ 1.  I don't want to miss an opportunity, so I have trouble saying "no."
_____ 2. Making decisions drives me crazy.
_____ 3.  Without necessary authority, I am unable to make decisions.
_____ 4. To avoid being wrong, I will often delay making a decision.
_____ 5. Decisions create change; I have change.

Sound familiar?  Did you score high numbers on the quiz above?  If so, you probably determined that you don't like making decisions!  Decide now to check out a few of the references noted below...

 


When there is a deeper 'yes' burning inside, it's easier to say no.
Not deciding is in itself a decision.
Mistakes teach us important lessons; you can't make a bad decision.
 


Recognize that few decisions are carved in stone.  
Make decisions based on the fact that someday you might want to change your mind.
Know your personal and/or organization's priorities, and make decisions accordingly.
Use job descriptions to clarify responsibilities and authority for decision-making.
Clear expectations and communication makes decision-making easier.
Confidence in decision-making comes from the number of decisions you make.

 
 

For additional information about balancing work/life, check out the OSU Leadership Center website.

Some resources we recommend are:

The Procrastinator’s Handbook
    Rita Emmett.  Walker & Co., 2000
    Includes:

Fear of Making Wrong Decisions, p. 85
Decision Making quiz, pp. 111-112

The Time Trap
   Alec Mackenzie.  AMACOM, 1990.
    Includes: 

Delegation information and quiz, pp. 104-109
Confused Responsibility or Authority, p. 163
 

 If you would like to borrow these or other resources from the OSU Leadership Center, please click on the logo 

  


Home   Creating Balance   Dealing with Interruptions  Organizing   Setting Priorities Managing Procrastination    

 
All educational programs conducted by the Ohio State University are available to all clientele on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or Vietnam-era status. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President, Agricultural Administration and Director, Ohio State University Extension.