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28 Common Decision-Making Mistakes to Avoid

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28 Common Decision-Making Mistakes to Avoid

We make a lot of decisions every day. They have a huge impact on our happiness and success. Yet most of us never question whether our decision-making process is flawed. It stands to reason that the only way to avoid the land mines is to know where they’re located. Here are 28 mistakes to avoid:

  1. Shoot from the hip. Failing to consider relevant information.
  2. Yesterday’s news. Basing decisions on outdated information.
  3. Define the problem. Losing sight of the key objectives.
  4. Learn your lesson. Failing to apply lessons learned from previous experiences.
  5. To-do versus must-do. Addressing low-priority activities just to check off items.
  6. Emotions get the better of you. Making important decisions in a poor frame of mind.
  7. False assumptions. Failing to consider personal bias or inexperience.
  8. Frame of reference. Making decisions in a vacuum.
  9. Analysis paralysis. Waiting for every piece of information before making a decision.
  10. Garbage in. Relying on sources with poor credibility.
  11. Fear the worst. Avoiding a decision out of fear of making a mistake.
  12. Band-aid solutions. Making a quick fix rather than addressing the root cause.
  13. Ego. Failing to request or consider input from people in the know.
  14. Take the good with the bad. Failing to view the downside as well as the upside.
  15. Jump the gun. Selecting the first option rather than exploring alternatives.
  16. Plunging in. Rushing to judgment without understanding the ramifications.
  17. Piecemeal. Optimizing a single component at the expense of the whole.
  18. Fixed focus. Failing to account for a changing landscape.
  19. It’s all in the details. Giving inadequate thought to implementation.
  20. Silver bullet. Doing what’s easy rather than what’s best.
  21. Overly complex. Making implementation overly complicated.
  22. Out of sight. Failing to consider opportunity costs.
  23. Deer in headlights. Postponing decisions until tomorrow.
  24. Cover your behind. Making decisions merely to justify previous actions.
  25. Neglecting your values. Selling your soul rather than doing what’s right.
  26. Forest and trees. Getting caught up in the details while missing the big picture.
  27. Looking over your shoulder. Spending more time second-guessing decisions than moving forward.
  28. Bury your head in the sand. Avoiding reality.

Do Any of These Decision-Making Mistakes Sound Familiar?

Additional Reading:
The Choice is Yours
Dilemma: Have To vs. Want To
50 Insane Mistakes Companies Make
Winging It Through Life

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About Frank Sonnenberg

Frank Sonnenberg is an award-winning author and a well-known advocate for moral character, personal values, and personal responsibility. He has written eight books and has been named one of “America's Top 100 Thought Leaders” and one of “America’s Most Influential Small Business Experts.” Frank has served on several boards and has consulted to some of the largest and most respected companies in the world. Frank’s newest book, Listen to Your Conscience: That’s Why You Have One, was released in November 2020.

Additionally, his blog — FrankSonnenbergOnline — has attracted millions of readers on the Internet. It was recently named one of the “Top Self-Improvement and Personal Development Blogs” in the world, and it continues to be named among the “Best 21st Century Leadership Blogs,” the “Top 100 Socially-Shared Leadership Blogs,” and the “Best Inspirational Blogs On the Planet.”

© 2021 Frank Sonnenberg. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from FrankSonnenbergOnline.com is strictly prohibited. For permission, please email Frank@FrankSonnenbergOnline.com.

Comments

  2. Dan Dyer says

    I have a problem with the “want to do” vs “need to do” decisions. I need to do X, but want to do Y. I also “fear the worst”. I hate making mistakes.

    Reply

    • Frank Sonnenberg says

      I hear what you’re saying, Dan.

      When you have a moment, check out my post, “Dilemma: Have To vs. Want- to” I think it addresses your point. Here’s the link for your convenience.

      https://www.franksonnenbergonline.com/blog/dilemma-have-to-vs-want-to/

      Thanks for taking the time to write.

      Best,

      Frank

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