Decision-Making: One of the Most Important 21st Century Skills

 Why the Ability of Decision Making is very Important in Life

Every day our life's platter serves us myriads of confusions and dilemma and every moment of our day we are rattling our brains to make some or the other decision. Our decisions can be related to simple daily choices or for Long Term plans to give a new definition to our life. These decisions can vary from petty issues like what to wear or what to have in lunch, to the bigger events like what course to pursue, which career to choose or whom to marry. Some people take quick decision and some take a long to research, mull over and finalize something in their life. Some even approach their friends and family to seek advice before taking a decision. Many resort to decision making by choosing a slip or tossing a coin and sometimes praying God for a cue to decide on something. We all are different in our decision-making ability but let's never forget the fact that everyone is born with unlimited potential and the ability to unleash that potential, to make a plus from a minus and the skill to draw a bigger line can only be cultivated when we are strong enough to make good decisions in our life.

A Good Decision Can Change Your Whole Life

Before we move on to the nitty-gritty of this complex yet one of the most important 21^st century skills let’s get to read an inspiring story about how decision making can transform a life.

Gulfam Ahmad, stricken by polio at birth, made a decision for himself that he would not depend on others due to his disability. It was a dismal beginning of the life of a family’s fifth child and their hope to find a cure for the ailment of their son brought the family to Delhi from a small village, Bijnor in UP. Gradually they accepted the fact that Gulfam would remain unable to walk for the rest of his life. But Gulfam’s choices and decisions were different for his life- the sight of a broken gate of school compelled him to venture into the building and watch the students over there. One day the school principal spotted him and readily agreed to admit him. It was an auspicious beginning for a boy of 8 but so many obstacles were yet to be tunneled through. At the age of 16, he made one more decision; the decision to join a gym and transform his body just like his favorite Bollywood star, Salman Khan. There he got a chance to meet a powerlifting coach and was introduced to the world of sports for people with disabilities. Here again, he decided to rewrite his destiny and since then the journey became a never ending process, he participated in many national events like wheelchair racing, power lifting, Taekwondo and organized scooter-rides for the differently-abled people.

In 2013, Gulfam made one more decision, to undergo a surgery so as to end his life’s years of crawling. He lived the glorious moment of his life when he won the title of Mr. Wheelchair India 2015, became a superstar and inspiration for many. He is a model, athlete, motivational speaker and a true fighter whose decision making power made him a real hero, whose decisions gave him the power to persevere despite overwhelming hurdles.

What is Decision Making

Decision making is one of the most important 21^st century skills which shows your expertise in choosing the best out of two or more alternatives. It’s a complex process of analyzing the information and options and set priorities for you. You have to navigate the risks and uncertainties before anticipating positive outcomes and consequences.

Why Decision Making is Important

How a good decision changes a precious human life, we have already read; decision-making inculcates reasoning, it trains you how to reason with the present and plan your future, stay aligned with your instincts and remain committed to your goal. The ability of decision making go in coordination with emotional intelligence, it motivates you to be critically aware of your emotions and stay rationale with them. Your emotions serve as perfect foundation for this process and when amalgamated with logical thinking, they result into the best solution.

Be a Good Decision Maker

Everyone can become a good decision maker by improving upon a few things. You need to identify the situation, before you jump into the process of decision-making. If the situation is a prolonged one or recur time and again, you need to be firm and a little harsh to become decisive on the matter. In case you have more options, make a list of all potential solutions and their plan of action. Critically examine the merits and demerits of each option, if your life depends on that decision; just think of the worst outcome also. When you are ready with your analysis, speculate if it matches with your goals and interests and at last Trust Your Instincts to get the best decision. Always reflect back on the entire process before you pick the best one for yourself.

Never hesitate in approaching your trusted friends and sensible people who you can trust for anything, they will reduce the amount of this tedious task for you and choose the best for you. Decision-making ability is an ornament for leaders, it adorns them with creativity and creativity brings innovation.

Your goals and achievements all hinge upon your ability to take right decisions at right time and your success is the fruit that ripens and sweetens during the process of decision-making.