Executive Decisions : Deciding Wisely

There’s a problem with decisions. We humans have an astonishing weak and miserable history in making intelligent decisions. Why do we make so many poor decisions? Because smart decisions is an advanced skill requiring explicit learning and practice. Many things expose our poor record of decision-making: the divorce rate (50%+), failed mergers (87%), hiring incompetent employees, closets filled with unused items, conflicts between business partners, people choosing drug addiction, stealing, shootings, etc. While it is our glory as human beings to be able to choose our attitudes, beliefs, lifestyle, career, and ten-thousand other choices, choosing is complex.

Choosing well also involves navigating many hidden biases and cognitive distortions. While you make thousands of decisions everyday, most are small, ordinary, and seemingly inconsequential.

Yet they are functions of higher level executive decisions which we mostly make unconsciously.

The brilliance (and danger) of decisions is that they accumulate.

They build up. One small inconsequential decision today can set in motion a series of actions leading to serious problems. Little decisions can wallop us with a devastating impact making life a living hell. The solution? Tap the powers of your prefrontal lobes for high quality executive decision-making.