There are four types of decisions that you will have to deal with on a regular basis in the course of your career.
1. The Decision Only You Can Make
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The first is the decision that you have to make. It is the decision that no one else can make, and it is the decision that it is your responsibility to make. It is therefore unavoidable
2. The Decision You Can Delegate
The second type of decision is a decision that can be made by someone else.
One of the very best ways to develop other people, to build knowledge, foresight, wisdom and judgment in your subordinates, and in your children for that matter, is to allow them to make important decisions. Whenever you can delegate a decision to someone else, or whenever the potential negative consequences or poor decision are small, by all means let someone else make that decision.
3. The Unaffordable Decision
The third type of decision is the type of decision that you cannot afford to make. The negative consequences of this decision are too great if it turns out poorly. Some decisions, if they turn out wrong, can lead to the bankruptcy of a company. Some commitments of resources can be so serious that they become irretrievable. The worst possible outcome is too serious an outcome to accept. That is a decision that you cannot afford to make.
4. The Unavoidable Decision
The fourth type of decision is the type of decision that you cannot afford not to make. This is a decision to act on an opportunity where delay can be very 204
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expensive. The positive upside for you or the organization can be enormous.
But remember, when it is not necessary to decide, it is necessary not to decide.
Making Better Decisions
Here are some key ideas with regard to decision-making.
1. Delegate Decision Making
Delegate decision making whenever possible. Remember, once you have made a decision in a particular area, you almost invariably have to make all the decisions in that area. Avoid making decisions if you possibly can.
Delegate them to other people.
2. Set a Deadline for Decision Making
If you can’t make a decision immediately, set a deadline for the decision.
For example, if someone comes to you and they need an answer, and you can’t give them an answer right away because you don’t have enough information, say, “I can’t give you an answer right now; but I will give you an answer by Thursday at Noon.” Then, whatever happens, at noon on Thursday you make the decision, one way or the other.
3. Get the Facts before Deciding
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As I said earlier, get the facts. Get the real facts, not the assumed facts or the apparent facts or the hopeful facts. But get the real facts. If you collect enough accurate facts and information in any area, decision-making becomes far easier and more effective. Most poor decisions are made because the person has acted without getting enough information. The very act of gathering information will greatly improve your decision when you finally make it.
4. Dare to Go Forward
Decision-making requires courage. This is because every decision involves a certain amount of uncertainty. With every decision, there is the possibility of failure. But it is not possible for a person to advance in life unless he is willing to make decisions, with no guarantee of success. All successful leaders and managers are firm decision makers. In fact you cannot even imagine a successful person who is indecisive and wishy-washy.
Overcome the Fear of Failure
In a study done not long ago, reported in American Management Association magazine, they compared managers who had been promoted regularly and managers who had not. The one quality they found among the managers who got promoted over the others was that they were decisive in their work, and in dealing with problems. The managers who did not get promoted were unwilling to make decisions for fear of making a mistake.
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They then took these two groups of managers and put them through a series of written tests. In each of the tests, they were asked what they would do to solve a particular business problem. Both of the groups turned out to be equally accurate in their answers on written tests. They both had the same decision making ability in a classroom setting.
The difference between those who were promoted and those who were not was that those who got promoted were willing to make decisions and act on their judgment. They were willing to make a mistake if necessary rather than to hesitate or delay. The others were so afraid of making a mistake that they did nothing. Even though they were equal in ability, those who were afraid of making decisions in the first place were not entrusted with positions of higher responsibility.
One of the most important ways to improve your decision-making ability is to avoid perfectionism. Avoid the need to know every detail and to be absolutely correct before you make a decision and move ahead. An imperfect decision made immediately is usually superior to a perfect decision delayed indefinitely.
Five More Ways to Save Time
Here are five additional time saving ideas that you can use in your personal life.
1. Shop All At Once
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When you go shopping, do it all at once. Don’t shop at one store one day and another store on a different day. Go out and do all of your shopping on a single day in a single trip.
By the way, the very best time to shop for groceries is Tuesday afternoon and evenings. Why is this? It is because all of the shelves of the grocery stores have been restocked on Monday after the weekend. By shopping on Tuesday, you can get in and get the greatest selection, and get out fast.
2. Bunch Your Errands
Bunch your errands. When you have several errands to do, bunch them and do them all at once, rather than doing one today, one tomorrow, and so on through the week.
3. Don’t Waste the Time of Others
Ask yourself, “What do I do that wastes the time of others?” Wasting the time of other people is usually not deliberate. It comes from not thinking about how valuable their time is. We often waste the time of others through lack of consideration.
If you are a boss or manager with people reporting to you, avoid the tendency to waste the time of your staff by keeping them waiting, or being late for meetings. The more respect you show for the time of your staff, the more valuable and important they will feel.
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Ask yourself, “How do I waste the time of my boss? My coworkers? My subordinates? My spouse? My children? And others?” And then make efforts to avoid doing it.
If you are curious, go and ask them, “What do I do that wastes your time?”
How could I change the way I use my time so that it would be more efficient for you? Don’t be surprised about what they tell you.
4. Be Punctual
Be punctual. Only 2% of people are punctual all the time, and these people are recognized and respected by everyone. Punctuality is professional and courteous. Make a habit of being there on time. Remember if you’re not early, you’re late. There is no such thing as being fashionably late. It is really just being inconsiderate and disorganized.
5. Move Quickly
Develop a fast tempo. Move quickly. Pick up the pace. Remember, fast tempo is essential to success. The more things you do, and the faster you work, the more energy you have, and the more you get done. The faster you work and the more you get done, the better you feel.
Most successful people work at a higher tempo of activity than unsuccessful people. They don’t necessarily do different things, but they get more things done in a given time than the average person. They produce more in less 209
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time, and as a result, they get paid more and promoted faster. Fast tempo is essential to success.
Focus on Saving Time
Continually look for ways to save time by cutting down or eliminating the major time wasters. Only then will you have enough time to work on the goals that are central to your success and happiness. Only then can you become an excellent time manager.
“Nothing can add more power to your life than concentrating all your energies on a limited set of targets.” (Nido Qubein) Action Exercises:
1. Resolve today to minimize and eliminate the time wasters in your life and work that take you away from doing the things that can be responsible for your greatest successes;
2. Plan every meeting before you hold it or attend it. Concentrate on the most important items and always finish with clear responsibilities and deadlines;