We make decisions every day. They affect our lives in a powerful way. Making wise decisions is imperative for unleashing the potential that is a deep within you. In fact, there is a direct relationship between every decision you make and whether or not you live life as the masterpiece God created you to be. Even the seemingly most insignificant decisions can have a huge impact. So, it’s important to know how to make wise decisions that will allow you to be all that your potential shows you can be.

There are styles of how different people make decisions, one is very costly, one can go either way – good or bad – the final style is wisdom and leads to success. Let’s start with the most common style that is also the most costly style.

• Inactive

The least effective decision-making style is the Inactive style. I often hear people talk about how they simply don’t want to make a decision, not realizing that indecision is a decision. When someone lives their lives making all of their decisions by the process of indecision, or through the Inactive style, they are often at the mercy of others. And, they’re usually living below their potential as the masterpiece God created them to be.

• Reactive

The Reactive decision-making style is a step up from being Inactive. Still, this style is not optimal because you make a decision only when necessary. In other words, you will make a decision, but only when you have to. This style of decision-making will often cause you to miss great opportunities simply because you will be unaware.

There is a better way, a way to make wise decisions:

• Proactive

The Proactive decision-making style is the only style that is strategic. It is the only style that looks at potential and decides to make the most of it. This is the decision-making style based on wisdom. Wisdom is not only knowing what to do and when to do it, but having the courage to act on it. In other words, being Proactive in making decisions.

When people pressure you to make a decision it’s alright to say, “I’ll get back to you”, but give them a time. A quick decision is not as important as a right decision. Proverbs 20:25 “It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later consider his vows.”  It is a trap to decide without deliberating, to make a promise without pondering it first, to make a commitment without first considering the cost of the commitment.  Deliberating does not mean delaying or procrastinating a decision. Be Proactive in your decision-making style to unleash your full potential as God’s masterpiece.

Feedback:

Which style of decision-making do you tend to rely on? Why?