No matter where we are in our lives, decision-making will always be a responsibility. Our decisions could be as simple as choosing what we want for dinner or as complex as continuing our education. Before making a financial and life-changing decision, there are several concepts to explore. Decision-making requires you to make predictions and judgment calls. If you find yourself in this position, the concepts below can assist you.
Determine Priorities
To begin, you must define your main objective. This could be as simple as “I want to get into graduate school” or “I want to bring more value to my company”. Once you determine your main objective, you can then work on a plan of action.
Cost/Benefit Analysis
Either decision you make, it will cost you something. “Should I continue with education or not?” If you find yourself stuck between the two decisions, consider asking yourself “Am I stuck in this indecisive mindset or am I going to be able to move forward?” Each decision we make in life comes with a cost. Figuring out the current benefits and cost and the future benefits and costs are all a part of the process. Indecisiveness can show us three things; fear, anxiety from a past mistake or lack of information. You have the ability to overcome each of these obstacles.
Be Aware of Emotions
As we have already established, deciding to continue your education is a financial and life-changing decision. With that big of a decision, be sure to not let your emotions control the outcome. Do your best to think logically and rationally before acting. You cannot look at this choice and compare it to what you would like for dinner. Making a poor decision about what you want to eat for dinner is usually harmless. Making the wrong decision on continuing education has consequences that can last for years to come.
Implement a Filter
We all have heard that decisions affect those closest to us. Whether continuing education is right for you or not, consider using a filter to assist. You can ask yourself, “how will this impact my family and will this help me get closer to achieving my goals?” By using these filter questions, you will be able to better analyze your decisions and the effects from them.
Do your Research
Consider researching articles that can assist you with continuing education decisions. You could also bring in new perspectives and ask those closest to you for advice. Once you research and hear out other perspectives, then take the time to review things for yourself. Information is power, the more information you have the better prepared you will be to make the best decision for you.
“There is no wrong time to make the right decision.” Dalton McGuinty