How to Make Decisions Under Uncertainty: Strategies and Techniques
Making decisions is a very fundamental part of our life. From choosing what to have for breakfast to deciding on a career path, we are constantly faced with choices. However, there are times when the situation is not so certain and this uncertainty affects our decision-making. We have all been there, haven’t we? So, how to make decisions under uncertainty? If you have always wondered how to take yourself out of such a situation and choose what’s best for you, or what’s right, you are going to find this guide helpful. Let’s get started, shall we?
Understanding Uncertainty: Why We Struggle With The Unknown
It is in the nature of uncertainty to make us uneasy and unsure about things as it takes us away from the known and what we can predict. As humans, we are more comfortable with familiar things but when uncertainty hits, we feel like we are losing control over things and feel vulnerable.
Similarly, our brains are wired to search for similar patterns, which gives us a sense of safety. But when we are faced with uncertainty, we go into overdrive and try to figure out if there is anything risky about the situation. This makes it hard for us to think clearly and make a good decision.
How Too Many Choices Make Decision-Making Difficult
There are tons of choices for almost everything. Whether it’s speaking about toothpaste or deciding which college to choose for higher studies there are so many options that it becomes overwhelming. Ironically, having too many choices, in the end, makes it even harder to make decisions especially when we are not sure about their outcome. Eventually, we feel stuck and not in a situation to choose because there are just so many possibilities!
How to Make Quick Decisions Under Uncertain Situations
If you often struggle with decision-making in times of uncertainty, going with the right strategy and a clear mind can make a lot of difference. To make decisions under uncertainty, we need to follow 4 simple strategies. Let’s examine 4 helpful techniques to assist you the next time you encounter similar circumstances.
1. Follow Your Gut Instinct
“Trust your guts, you might get saved!” – You might have heard this saying, and needless to say, there is no debate about it. Your gut feeling is a deep sense of already knowing what can go wrong so that you don’t go that way. While this usually seems mysterious and baseless, your gut instinct would hardly turn up to be wrong about a situation or person.
2. Prioritize
Whenever we are faced with uncertainty, it is easy to feel overwhelmed but by prioritizing things, you can easily break down your options into manageable pieces. Simply rank things based on what is important to you, and consider other factors that might affect your decision so that you can focus your energy where it is much needed.
Imagine you are trying to decide between two job offers but not quite sure about which one is better, you can reach the right decision simply by focusing on what matters most to you. For instance, if salary is your top priority, you would want to go with a job offer with higher pay. However, if you are looking for work-life balance, you might want to explore other options.
3. Test And Validate Your Assumptions
Whenever we face a choice, we often make assumptions about the potential outcomes or anything that can influence our decisions. However, these assumptions might not always be accurate. By activity testing and validating our assumptions, it gets easier to make an informed decision. To make good decisions under uncertainty, it is a must to test and validate your assumptions.
Let’s suppose you’re a student and trying to decide which extracurricular activity you should join at college. You have to choose between the debate team and the basketball team. Based on your experience, you assumed that joining the debate team would improve your public speaking skills but if you join the chess club, you will be able to improve your critical thinking and planning skills. However, you are not sure about which activity would benefit you more in the long run.
READ MORE: 15 Smart Tricks to Make Cool Decisions Under Pressure
So, what would you do? One thing you can do here is spend a trial period attending meetings or practices for both the debate team and the chess club to see what it’s like to participate. During this time, you could pay attention to how each activity makes you feel and what skills you seem to be developing. This way, you will get more clarity on which activity you would like to commit to.
4. Consider Possible Scenarios
This can be incredibly helpful while deciding something during uncertain times. Uncertainty makes it difficult to predict exactly how things will unfold. However, when you explore different scenarios, it is easy to prepare yourself for different outcomes and even have a backup plan.
Let’s understand with a brief example. Suppose you are trying to decide whether or not you should buy a house in a given neighborhood but you are not sure about its future prospects. By considering multiple scenarios like neighborhood development, economic shifts, and changes in property value, you will be able to better understand the potential rest and benefits of your decision.
One scenario here could be that the neighborhood might experience increased property values and amenities. On the other hand, the situation could turn out to be completely opposite and there could be a decline in the property value. How would you navigate in such situations? Asking yourself questions will help make an informed decision so that you don’t end up in trouble.
Final Words
Picking up the right direction is one universal experience that touches every aspect of our lives. Whether it is choosing where to buy your house or land a job, uncertainty will always remain an avoidable part of the human condition. However, with the right approach and strategic thinking, you can always pull yourself out of a maze and go with what’s best for you, or what’s right.
So, the next time you find yourself torn between difficult choices, remember to stay mindful and focus on what’s important for you. This way, you will not only make more confident decisions but also find better fulfillment and purpose in every choice you make! I hope you have learnt how to make effective decisions under uncertainty. Follow LearnReal.in for more helpful content. Thanks for reading!!!
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