Revolutionary approach to Decision Making

I assure the reader that I am not going to propound a complex theory I came across in management circles. One of the worst investments I ever made in life was to buy a book called "decision making" .

It was utterly useless - not only did I spend a good amount of time trying to understand the parameters , I didn’t find one useful place in life where I could apply it !

Ever since then , I have been trying to figure out a way to simplify the PROCESS of decision making , and here are my thoughts on the same ..

Taking a life changing decision is a painful process (much more painful than living by a decision you made !) . Usually , when we have to take a decision within a fixed time , we  walk around with the heavy burden on our shoulders , brooding , taking advice from people , and yet not fully satisfied with most of the advice .

And even though we get good practical advice (hopefully) , in the end we end up doing our own thing . And later in life , we may sit and ponder -why did I take so and so decision ?

 I propose here the approach I took personally to take one of the major decisions in my life .

1. One needs to have a clear cut choice between various options available - ie - I should either stick to choice A , B or C .

2. Identify the factors on which to base  your decision.
3. Break down the main factors into sub set of criteria - this is very important . You need to know what criteria to base the decision on . Society places a lot of importance on "practicality and future planning" . Often , we are advised to "not be emotional" while taking a decision.

                   I disagree . For a wholesome individual , emotional satisfaction cannot be sidelined just because
                   other factors are "practical"

4. Based on the criteria , give a personal weightage (numerical value 1-10) to either A,B or C . I stress on the "personal " part because no matter how much advice u get from anyone - you and only you can determine the weightage YOU give to a criteria .
5. Add up the weightages and whatever option has the highest weightage , go for it !

An  example:

Confusion :

Should I stay in a PG or stay in a rented room with friends ?

Factor 1 : Financial and logistics

		Weightage to PG	Weightage to rented room
Costwise , PG is cheaper		3
If I stay in a room , I need to take care of domestic issues like cleaning , cooking etc		5
My parents etc can come and visit if I stay in a room			4

Factor 2 :Emotional

		Weightage to PG	Weightage to rented room
I can stay with friends			9
Freedom to come and go as I choose			7
I may feel safer in a PG (more company)		4

Conclusion :

Total PG weightage = 3+5+4 = 12

Total Room weightage = 4+9+7 = 20

Rented room wins , no questions asked !

One of the best advantages with this approach is that - I can actually  document the major decisions of my life !!

I am assured in my mind that I take a logical approach to take decisions (logical , not "practical" , which means I account appropriately for emotional factors ) . And years later in life , if I choose to , I can trace back and re assure myself that whatever I decided was purely logical to me at that point of time :)

One of my friends came up with a profound thought when I described this complicated procedure  " You would have already decided in your mind . All these processes are only to bring it out and justify your decision" !!

My purpose of putting this out in my blog is a hope that it helps others "decide how to decide" !!!

I would love to hear feedback and comments , and know whether this is as useful to others as it is to me :)

-Deepika