Greg Gelineau, CLTC
~Executive Vice President at American Senior Benefits/Integrity Marketing Group~ 🇺🇸Top 1% LinkedIn voice /Coach and Business Consultant. #IndustryExpert/#LeadershipExpert/ “SUBSCRIBE TO MY NEWSLETTER” & “FOLLOW ME”
March 12, 2025
Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.
Put simply, a choice is what you decide to do (or not do). The consequence is the result of that choice.
Being a good decision maker is a very important skill, especially for leaders.
A person who makes good decisions has an idea of what they want, and doesn’t let obstacles get in their way. When you train yourself to make good decisions, you’ll have better problem-solving skills because you’ll have learned from your mistakes.
Everyday we’re confronted with a barrage of choices. We make choices about the clothes we wear, the food we eat, the appointments we schedule, the people we meet, the time we turn up to work, what we do after work, and so on. Living a rich and satisfying life means making good choices on an ongoing basis.
What is a good choice? Good choices are decisions that keep you heading in the direction of your goals and purpose. Bad choices, on the other hand, end up being counterproductive and can quickly begin you spiraling into anxiety, confusion, and despair.
Some of the trickiness of making good choices arises when options that may be pleasing in the short term but may steer us off course over the long term. Just taking that one extra serving of dessert or staying in bed for only half an hour more can be choices like this. Conversely, some decisions can be a bit dreary or difficult at the time but lead to better directions down the track. Staying home and studying or completing another grueling session at the gym are examples of short term discomfort for long term benefits.
Making choices are an integral part of our daily lives. Ordinarily, we’re very good at it and we do so efficiently and seamlessly. Now and then, however, we come up against a decision that gives us a moment to pause. When that occurs, look for the merits in both options and notice the higher valued goals that appear as you’re considering the choices before you. Once the important goal is in view, your decision will be clear and you’ll know that the path you’re about to take is consistent and congruent with your values.
Better Life Balance
The first positive effect of good decision making skills is finding a better balance in life.
People who make good decisions can sleep soundly at night knowing they’re making decisions in their best interest and not just because someone else is asking them to make them. Positive outcomes of a good decision are based on what’s important to you and what future you want for yourself.
When you make good choices, you’ll have more energy and enthusiasm for your relationships, strengthening them. You’ll feel more confident because you won’t waste your time thinking negative thoughts but can focus on what matters most: being present in your relationships with the people who count on you.
One of the Benefits of Effective Decision Making Is That You Won’t Regret Them
Once you’ve made the right decision, you can look back and realize it was the right one. If you had to do it over again, you wouldn’t feel like you should make a better decision because you’d know you made an informed decision. You feel good about yourself and your decision making skills and have no regrets because you are confident you made the right choice.
You’re Respected by Others and Treated as a Leader
When you make good decisions, it shows others that you’re trustworthy and responsible. If you make bad decisions, you lack self-control and are likely to get into trouble.
If you want to be seen as a leader, you need to make sure that everyone around you knows they can trust your judgment and rely on you to guide them through difficult situations.
You can do this by making wise decisions in all areas of your life – from the big decisions, like where to go on vacation or what car to buy, to the small ones, like what food to serve at company parties or how many hours a week you exercise (and what activities).
Making good decisions is also an essential part of leadership because it shows that you’re capable:
Good Choices Can Lead to a Happier Life
When you make a final decision, you’re making a decision that will affect the rest of your life in one way or another. You’re not just choosing between two options – you’re deciding how you want your life to go. When you make a good decision, you will feel the positive emotions coming from it, and your life will become better in every way.
Making intentional, well-thought-out choices can indeed lead to confidence, respect, and a fulfilling life. It’s also true that the hardest decisions often bring the most growth. Do you have a specific situation where you’re trying to apply these principles?
“Carpe diem”
