Get your emotional balance right before making a big decision—on your projects and in your life.
In fifteen minutes, a project leader or team member might make a dozen or more decisions. Some will be inconsequential, while others could have immediate or long-term impact on a project outcome. Yet, many of us are unaware of our decision-making process and how it shapes our work, relationships and lives.
Your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health influence every decision you make, according to performance psychologist Dr. Jim Loehr and behavioral geneticist Dr. Sheila Ohlsson, authors of a new book, Wise Decision (Wiley, December 8, 2022), which shines a light on the factors that influence decision-making.
In their book, Loehr and Ohlsson present a research-based method for making wiser choices called Your Own Decision Advisor or Y.O.D.A. – the inner voice that guides people’s choices. “When the stories crafted by your inner voice are faulty or ill-conceived, the advice or decisions that emanate from those faulty interpretations will likely be flawed as well,” they say.
The good news is that people can build and strengthen their Y.O.D.A. skills, just like those of any other muscle. One key characteristic of good decision-making is to align it with core values and purpose. From a personal perspective that might involve ‘warm and fuzzy” guideposts like listening to your inner voice or trusting what your heart or gut feels. But in a project context, it also requires questions like, What are the indisputable facts surrounding this decision? And, How does data inform the choice I’m making?
A person’s inner voice controls their energy investment and that energy can be positive (joyful, motivated, peaceful) or negative (fearful, angry, depressed), Ohlsson and Loehr explain. “A state of negative energy can seriously compromise your decision-making process, while wise, timeless decisions are best made in a state of positive energy."
Thus, when facing a major decision take the time you need to think it through and get as much input as you can to clarify the risk-reward. Then make the decision when you are calm, rested and mentally prepared. In other words: Get the energy balance right before big choices are made.
Stay tuned for an exclusive article from Loehr and Ohlsson on ways we can all make wiser decisions.
