4-Ways to Make and Execute Life-Changing Decisions by Benson Agoha

Make no mistake about it, you will face challenges. Alright, you have heard it all before. And you probably did from the best brains around. But no one situation is the same and life-changing decisions don’t come easy. There are always costs and sacrifices to ponder whether you really want to go ahead. There are also always peculiarities of situations, and decisions, though an everyday part of our experience, are not by any means easy.



So how do we make decisions that are life-changing – and more importantly, ensure we implement it successfully? There are four ready issues to consider:



Self/Situational Analysis: Organise yourself and ensure you understand your peculiar situation. Understanding who you are, where you are and what you are capable of will enable you to start out, making the right moves. It will answer such questions as whether the time is right, just as whether you are even ready or not.



Lack of self-analysis can have serious and devastating consequences. Imagine a neophyte, with no climbing, terrain or weather experience setting out to climb Mount Everest, just to make a name for himself. Not only will he have the tough terrain to contend with, but chances are that he could pay seriously for his nonchalance. If he failed to consult with his physician, he would be taking his health for granted. If he refused to train in advance, he has already prepared his mentality to accept failure. And if he failed to take the relevant kits, then he would have prepared himself for suicide. David Walliams, inspite of his preparations, took ill several times during his last adventure to swim the River Thames. Claire Squires died running the 2012 London Marathon. But although hazards do not deter the brave, it is always advisable to be prepared before stepping out.



Self/situational analysis enables a sincere evaluation of an individual’s abilities and capabilities. It helps him come to terms with his own peculiar strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (swot). It enables him set the right and achievable targets and sets a solid base for other plans.



Situational analysis helps him identify problem areas and see whether he can do anything about them. Does he have the right skill, is this the right time, will the project require funding and has he got it? If not, does he have access to available sources of funds? He must ask himself questions and try to offer honest answers.



Information: It is often said that information is power, and nowhere is this more relevant that when venturing into unfamiliar territory. Gathering relevant information educates and equips you with necessary tools for making the next logical step once the result of your self-assessment is positive. Through information gathering, questions about characteristics, possible problems, contingencies and possible sources of help, if and when needed, can be answered. Information enhances knowledge and knowledge empowers. Knowledge creates confidence and even goodwill.



Action Plan: Set up a plan of action to implement your program. Action plans are sequential programs for carrying out your plan. Your organisational skills and ability to get your ducks on a row are tested here. Action plans usually act as a guide and helps you maintain implementation along a chosen track. Action plans provide a streamline for implementing decisions and tests your self-discipline. Can you focus, and ensure that what you have set out to achieve is what you continue to aspire to achieve, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles?



Focus: Focusing is perhaps, the toughest of the challenges and obstacles a decision maker will face. There will be temptations, and distractions will threaten to derail you. But will they? Should they? To make it, you must be alert at all times, as this is the only way you can spot distractions timely and take the necessary decisions to ignore them. Focusing may require you to be mean. And may earn you bad names, hatred and envy, but if you want it badly, you have to put up with it. Friends and peers may have contradictory and maybe parallel opinion that insists on you making a choice between your goal and them or theirs – which will it be? If you need it badly, you have to focus to maintain course.



Focus will test your willingness, readiness, determination, shock-absorber and even poise. Focus is an important test of character and it is success is unimaginable without it. Focus is the one characteristic that all great achievers who have made life-changing decisions at some point, have in common. So if you want it badly, be prepared to ruffle a few distracting feathers.



And yes, as you go along, always remember to re-evaluate. Reviewing grounds already covered will enable you to spot mistakes and areas deserving of correction.



I see success not very far ahead!