Decision making is probably one of the most crucial aspects that a kid or a youth needs to learn. Prior to making my way to the US for my bachelors, I don't remember having to take many decisions. My parents always assisted or took decisions for me. However, I believe decision making is an art that needs to be inculcated in kids from an early age even letting them take decisions on even trivial things like deciding between 2 candies, 2 dresses he/she may like.
When I left home for higher studies, this is one aspect that I hated as I had to take every single decision myself and stand by it. I must say that it was especially difficult in the beginning as I was solely responsible for the consequences of my decisions.
Decisions need to taken in every sphere of life:
- I am not earning or earning enough. Do I spend my hard earned savings on something I don't need even though I may look cooler with those shades or perfume or a new top or whatever.
- My best friend is egging me to go this dance club or a bar or a restaurant. I don't want to waste time going there but I know I will also enjoy my time dancing, chatting with him. Do I go?
- I have been invited to play a cricket match this weekend but I have exam starting on Monday. Do I play the match?
As you grow up, get a job and start earning, different decisions need to be taken:
- The house is priced well and I believe with my salary, I will be able to pay it down in 10-15 years. Do I go for it? What if I lose a job or there is a bad recession? Will I have enough savings to continue paying the loan till I get another job?
- When you have kids, you may have to take decisions on which schools they will study in, what kind of teaching methodology you prefer for your kids etc. What if they don't do well? Should I wait and see or put them in different school or get them tuition?
- I want to play with my kids but have a lot of work to do. Kids grow up in a hurry & I want to spend time with them. Do I stay up tonight and finish my work or sacrifice my time with kids to finish it earlier in the day?
Here are examples of some decisions I took that turned out okay and some that were downright bad
- Around the age of 17, with hardly any income, my mom had come over to visit me and I decided to tell her to buy me an electric razor. It was a hot thing back then and all I remember is that I wanted it. Horrible thing to do and it cost $46 (in 1990). I did buy it but within a couple weeks, it was evident that this was a wasteful expenditure as 1) The regular razor worked just fine for me 2) I used to shave every 3-4 days 3) The novelty wore away and I was $46 in the hole.
- Early on in college, I decided to take a a speech class. My friends who know me knew that I was tremendously shy. It was a decision taken after a lot of thinking. It served dual purpose - getting rid of my fear of public speaking & getting credits towards my degree. I remember going to my professor during her office hours and practicing my speech in front of her. She helped me tremendously overcome my extreme fear of public speaking.
- In my last semester, I had taken a heavy load of classes as I desperately wanted to graduate. Not a good decision! There is a class called Digital Signal Processing that I had taken. I remember I was working about 30 hours a week in the library and then taking a full course load. Rest of the classes were but this class gave me a lot of trouble. In the final exam, I was told by the professor that to pass this class, I needed an A grade in the final. Well, I got a D instead. I pleaded with the professor to give me a project I can do so that I could get passing marks. He declined to help me. For some reason, when the final scores came, he had given me a C and I passed. Till this day, I have no idea how this miracle happened and I have not tried to find out :)
- Coaching cricket was the best decision I ever made. I am not certified coach, but I do have passion and willing to put in effort to learn not only what needs to be taught but more importantly what the kids need from me. I try to participate in every drill (except exercises). I look like a fool as I am slower in the field, sometimes can't bend down to stop the ball, but I hope the kids see the effort that their coach is putting in and may be at least one kid gets inspired. I pay for it with sore muscles all over but the satisfaction is well worth it.
A decision need not be only for what is good/bad for me. It might also be for what is the right thing to do. For example, would you squeal against your best friend if you have seen him doing something bad?
In cricket, baseball and other sports, these decisions are made every ball. In cricket, on every delivery, you judge the length and line of the ball and play a short accordingly. In a split second, a batsman has to make a decision whether it is a ball that can be hit or to be played defensively. Depending on what you decide, the consequence will be that you get a run(s), dot or out. You have to live with the decision you made.
Decision making can be tough in some situations. Nonetheless, be decisive! You will not get every decision right even after doing your homework. Learn to live with the consequences & don't keep pushing away decisions.
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