Everybody struggles with trusting themselves at some point in their lives. It could be that you are making a career choice, starting out in a new romantic relationship, or making a big life decision. Generally, when we find ourselves in such situations, the first instinct is to turn inward – to rely on our abilities and instincts. However, as the saying goes, ‘you don’t know what you don’t know,’ and sometimes, trusting in our understanding can result in us leaning towards the wrong decisions.
So how do we navigate decision making while being mindful of the pitfalls of relying too heavily on our understanding? Here are five practical steps that can help you stop leaning on your understanding and begin making better and more informed choices.
1. Seek Knowledge and Expertise
In any decision-making process, it is essential to seek out as much knowledge and expertise as possible. Learning from experts, reading widely around the subject, and seeking out people who have more understanding than you can offer invaluable insights that can guide you towards informed decision-making. Going to school, attending seminars, or taking online courses can provide a wealth of knowledge that can enrich your understanding and help avoid life’s pitfalls.
2. Analyze Your Decision-making Process
In retrospect, you might find that the decisions you make are consistently biased or flawed. It’s a good idea to regularly analyze your decision-making process to identify if there are any consistent elements or obstacles in your decision-making that may be skewing your understanding. Examining your decision-making process can help you identify areas for improvement and work towards making better decisions.
3. Get Input from Others
Although you may trust your instincts, it is important to get input from others as well. The input from others can provide color or fill any gaps in your understanding. Seeking guidance or advice from those with deeper insight can be a valuable tool in making sound decisions and avoiding errors that could impact your future.
4. Keep an Open Mind
Sometimes, an open mind is all you need for great insight. If you are looking for solutions to problems in your life, try to approach them with an open mind. While it may be tempting to default to what you already know, seek new perspectives, ideas, and solutions. Talking to friends, family members, or other professionals can guide you towards solutions that you would not have considered.
5. Learn from Your Mistakes
Finally, it is essential to learn from your mistakes. In life, people make decisions that result in unforeseen, negative consequences. It is important to not be too hard on yourself but to view mistakes as opportunities to learn and grow. Reflect on your choices and adjust your approach to decision-making as you grow in your understanding of life.
Conclusion
In summary, successfully stopping the habit of leaning on our understanding requires intentional effort and diligence. Taking intentional steps to learn, seek guidance, being open-minded, along with reflecting on your decision-making process and learning from our mistakes, can help cultivate a better decision-making and problem-solving process. These efforts all work together to provide guard rails around our understanding, enabling us to make better decisions for our personal and professional lives.
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