Today I got an email from my boss regarding making decision. Here it goes:

We have to make decisions daily. We need to improve the quality of our decisions. I have read this STEPBACK decision making ftamework which I thought was easy and can be effective:

Stop what you are doing
Think logically through each option
Estimate the likely outcomes of each option
Play the probability game – what is the likely option?

Be sure that you have all the facts – do you need anyone or anything else?
Accept that you have made the best decision based on the facts you have
Check with your instinct – does it feel right?
Keep calm and make the decision

According to the author, Hary Vurnum, the best managers follow this framework and make decision in seconds. It is like driving a car. Once you have learnt how to, and practiced enough, your subconscious takes over and does the work without you having to consciously go through the routine.

Try to adopt it so that we will breed happy customers and improve bottom line.

Maybe some of you can understand what it means but for me it is so complicated.
A simple decision can be made through forward and backward planning. This is how it goes:

Say you're in a mid of thinking whether you should continue your studies or you have to accept a job right away which offer quite attractive remuneration. Think again carefully what you wish to achieve in your life (maybe 10 years down the road or 20 years down the road). You maybe seeing yourself as a successful manager in a big multi national company which handle more than 5 countries in an IT industry. You drive a BMW and have a house in Bangsar having a wonderful family with 3 kids.
At this point of time you maybe earning like RM50k/ month and having some property.

So think backward, how do you achieve your status in such a moment, you'll at least have to be very experience in the IT industry. You maybe need a qualification in order to reach that point?
Slowly think back in 10 years where were you? You maybe still working hard and get the network you need. You maybe changing from your previous company where you think it does not comply with your future. And soon, you can imagine do you need your current study in order to reach that point or it is more important to get into the job right away and get the exposure you need.

Of course like the first method, the more you use and more it is recorded in your sub-conscious and sooner, you'll find yourself very effective in making decision.

There is no right or wrong way. Somehow, it is just a way to help you make your decision. Either choices can bring you to success and failures which is so much depends on how you actually use the choices you make at the first point as a journey of success.

Think about it..