Now you know the real key to great decision-making – a state of mind where one can think clearly and independently –you will need a toolbox full of techniques appropriate to the particular problem in hand. You probably have many already, including Prioritisation, GROW, Pareto, Decision Trees, Ladders of Inference, Matrices and SMART (to name but a few) as well as simple ones like writing, diagrams, flow charts, flip charts, pros and cons and mind maps. We can help you there as well if you need us too.
The thing is those are but the tools. What you will find when you’ve worked with us is that it’s the quality of your thinking that most affects the quality of your decisions.
Most of the time we think to be heard, even when we don’t need to be. Which means that we think to interrupt. How unhelpful is that?
Who taught you to think – or to put it more bluntly, were you ever taught to think? Or did you just sort of pick it up along the way? That’s what nearly all, if not all of us did. Why? – Because our education system was designed long ago to get us to function in a certain way. Thinking for our selves wasn’t part of the plan.
When we think clearly and independently, without judging others or ourselves, without prejudice, without emotion, the natural consequence is we will make great decisions. Whatever the level of the decision, it’s a simple way to feel less stressed and more resilient.
This is where we at The Missing Trick have a whole collection of tools to create great thinking. Whether you want to think on your own, with a partner, in a group or in meetings we can show you how. We can show you ways that will really make a difference.
Simply by learning to focus your attention on relevant information and logic, with a positive attitude, you will think well and make great decisions. Our courses are specifically designed to make this happen.
Powerful as all of this is, there is one more thing that will take you to another level.
Mindfulness seems to be something very much in the news at the moment. Simply put, it’s about focusing on the present moment and not letting our attention wander. It’s about constantly being awake, aware and attentive. “Easier said that done!” I hear you say and you’d be right – because it’s something else we weren’t taught!!!
Once we understand the simple process and practice regularly it becomes second nature to us, whatever we are doing, whatever we are working on.
When we pay attention to ourselves, our thoughts, our deeds, our actions in the present moment we create the opportunity to change the patterns we have created through poor decisions in the past.
It doesn’t matter what it is we are saying, doing or feeling, by being MINDFUL we can watch ourselves and choose to change whatever isn’t serving us. It’s a place of non-judgment of others and our selves. It’s from this place – of centredness under pressure and stress – that we can choose to think clearly and independently on our way to making great decisions.
Building mindfulness, independent thinking and great decision making into our psyche isn’t taxing, but it does take time. Establishing new habits always does but these are ones worth time and effort. Our courses are designed to establish all these things in people as rapidly as possible.