6 Barriers to Making Wise Decisions

YouVersion Devotion extracts

Mike Erwin, CEO of the Character and Leadership Center, tackled the issue of decision-making in a Harvard Business Review article. https://hbr.org/2019/08/6-reasons-we-make-bad-decisions-and-what-to-do-about-them

Although most decisions are routine, some require more thought. It’s critical that we identify those decisions that come with serious risks or consequences so that we can give them the attention they deserve.  

Mr. Erwin emphasizes six reasons why we sometimes make bad decisions. 

The first is decision fatigue. If you make multiple major decisions throughout the day, you will eventually become fatigued, and your decisions may not be as effective. Ecclesiastes 8:6 teaches, “For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter, though a person may be weighed down by misery.” Mr. Erwin recommends prioritizing your most important decisions for a time when your energy levels and thoughts are at their best. 

The second reason is a steady state of distraction. Our information load has become quite heavy. Researchers estimate that our brains process five times as much information today as in 1986! We are constantly distracted by the technology that follows us everywhere. Now, more than ever, it’s crucial that we find time for quiet reflection and deep thought. Psalm 119:99 says, “I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on Your statutes.” More information is requiring faster and faster decisions. For important decisions, take time to meditate on God’s wisdom before making a possible error in judgment. 

Mr. Erwin’s third reason is lack of input. The Kellogg School found that in a typical meeting, an average of three people do 70% of the talking. Unfortunately, the ones you probably need to hear from the most are those with introverted personalities. They can be your most thoughtful colleagues. Proverbs 17:28 says, “Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.” Mr. Erwin recommends that to counter this possible lack of input from your deepest thinkers, send out a meeting agenda 24 hours in advance, and create a meeting culture that solicits everyone's input.

The fourth is multi-tasking.  Due to the rapid pace of business these days, most jobs require some level of multi-tasking. However, research reveals that performance suffers by up to 40% when we focus on two cognitive tasks at the same time! In Luke 10:41, Jesus said, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one.” Multi-tasking is not something to brag about. Instead, for the highest productivity, we need to carve out blocks of time to focus deeply on our most important decisions, not being distracted by performing multiple tasks at once.

The fifth reason: emotions. As a young trainee in banking, I was presenting loan requests to the bank’s CEO. When I realized that he was in a foul mood, I moved my toughest loan request from the top of my stack to the bottom. He noticed and asked why. When I fearfully told this CEO why I rearranged them he changed the subject and told a joke. Then he said, “Now show me the bottom loan.” Proverbs 16:32 teaches, “Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.” When emotions are getting the better of you, practice and exercise self-control before making a major decision.

The final reason is analysis paralysis. In today’s Information Age, we don’t lack for information. More information typically leads to a longer decision making process, especially if you want all the facts before coming to a resolution. Since one Google search can turn up millions of results, one can easily over analyze any possible decision. Solomon learned and shared about moderation in Ecclesiastes 1:18 when he wrote, “For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.” Mr. Erwin recommends determining the pertinent information you need, not chasing more data. Once you have the important information, set a deadline for when the decision will be made, then stick to it.