It is worth
stating here that decision making is the process of “analyzing alternatives to
reduce uncertainty about achieving a desired outcome”[1].
Decisions or resolutions are not taken because they are popular but because
they are relevant. Decisions are taken after it has been identified that there
is a problem that needs a solution. Hence the first step in making a resolution
that will last is to recognize that
there is a problem. Doing this will enable you sort out the mere symptoms
from the real disease.
Having
identified the problem, the next step is to look at the various ways the problem can be solved. All the
alternatives should be on the desk, an African adage says that there are
several roads that lead to the market yet the best way to get to the market
might not be through the shortest route, but through the route that will have
the best effect on you. Quick fixes as it characterize many resolutions made by
people at the end or beginning of the year rarely fixes anything; in other
words, the shortest route might not be the best route. They might work in
solving the immediate cause(s) of a problem but won’t ameliorate the remote
cause(s).
After comparing
and contrasting the various alternatives to solving an identified problem, the
next step is to make a choice out of all
of them. Like I stated earlier, the choice of a particular solution should
be predicated on its suitability to you and not just on its popularity.
You have
identified a problem, lined up various ways you think the problem can be solved
and have made a choice that is best for you; the next step (and perhaps the
most difficult) is to implement the
choice. It is often said that the problem with Nigeria is not a want of
policies that have the potential of transforming the nation, but of
implementing them. Same goes to us as individuals. The question now is, ‘how do
we ensure that we implement and stick to a solution we have discovered to a
problem plaguing us.
First you have
to recognize that resolutions or decisions are made as remedies to problems in
other to make progress[2].
You have to make the choice as to whether you want to make progress or remain
where you are. If you choose the former, it must come with the understanding
that progress is arrived at with sacrifices. In other words, progress is made
by doing things differently from how they had hitherto been done.
On a final note,
for your resolution to last beyond the first week of the year, you must base it
on the principle of love. Why love? Love, because it helps you realize that the
progress you seek for yourself will also help lift someone else from the valley
where they are to the top of the hill where they aspire to. I usually tell
myself that I must get better because someone needs my help to get better. By
the way, sometimes as humans we find it extremely difficult and challenging to
go through this process of decision making on our own. If you can’t go alone,
let someone go with you- a friend, mentor, colleague, relative, counselor, etc.
Live your life on a forward motion.
Until next time,
Be inspired!
Remain motivated!
N.B
My blogs haven’t been
regular because internet facility where I am currently undergoing my one year
mandatory national service is very epileptic. Please bear with me. My service
year will end in the first week of October this year and I promise my blogs will
be more regular then.
