Often, the path you are following presents several options.  For example, if you are out for a walk and come to a fork in the road the obvious questions is do I proceed left, right or turnaround and go back?

After consideration  you conclude which option to select.  Based on your resolution the journey continues.  The outcomes may lead to your questioning or applauding the choice, in hindsight.

Of course the quality of the outcome (good or bad) can be a result of luck, your decision or a combination of the two.  The aspect within your control is the decision.

Making Decisions

Your approach to determining how to proceed is often impacted by environmental factors.  For example an element of urgency may be present limiting the time you have to analyse possible outcomes and associated risks.

Or you might have lots of time to gather information about each option; however, this can lead to analysis paralysis (overwhelming data stalemating the decision process).

Start with a plan

The best decision making begins with planning.  The planning effort needs to be tailored to the impact of the decison, priority and available time.   Whether high or low impact, quick or slow duration, considering how you are going to decide is invaluable.

The plan can be documented or just thought out in your head with the steps and timing remembered.   The key is to outline what considerations you want to make to  enable determiation of  effort, risk and expected outcomes.

Utimately the best decisions are formulated with an understanding of what it takes to achieve the desired results and what could go weong.