It is wonderful to learn to do strategic thinking and to be able to decide something as a result. As part of a series on strategic thinking I have written about what strategic thinking is and how to do it, the part of anticipation, how challenge relates to strategic thinking, and what it means to interpret when doing strategic thinking. This article will explore what it means to decide when you are doing strategic thinking. Before we begin, to look at what it means to decide, let’s review the components of strategic thinking.
Strategic thinking involves several different components. These components include:
1. Anticipation – the ability and use of peripheral vision, the ability to think three or more moves ahead
2. Challenge – the act of questioning, reframing, digging into the roots of a matter
3. Interpret – being able to figure out patterns from multiple data sources
4. Decide – the act of taking a stand, balancing speed and quality in making a determination
5. Align – get all interested parties, all stakeholders with their divergent views to come together
6. Learn – the ability to use failures and successes as resources, debrief and adjust thinking action to match changing circumstances
When you start to do strategic thinking, when you start to think with a purpose and a plan behind your thoughts, the time will come when you have to decide something. To decide is to be active. When you decide you take a stand, you pick one option over another. Make a decision is not an easy process. In fact, it is often a scary process that takes time. However, when it is time to decide, when it is time to make a decision, you have to find the balance between taking time to think and not taking so long that a decision is forced upon you rather than made by you.
For some people having to decide a course of action is scary and hard. There is no way around that. It is scary. It is hard. However, sometimes, scary things need to be done. Sometimes hard things have to be done. When you have to decide you are by definition taking one course of action over another. When you decide things, some of those decisions will be right and some will be wrong. Do not let that fact stop you from making decisions. Instead, realize that upon occasion you will decide a wrong course of action and have to regroup and redo things. So what! Decide anyway. when you are doing strategic thinking, real thinking you must show up like a grown up and do it, period.
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In conclusion, it is wonderful to learn to do strategic thinking and to be able to decide something as a result. So, the question for you this magnificent day is, what are you going to use your strategic thinking skills to decide?
I can be a little indecisive at times. That has gotten much better since becoming a mom.
I am such a procrastinator when it comes to big decisions. Maybe I’m not a grown up 😉
I have a hard time deciding big things. I hate being a grown up sometimes.
I’m not often very indecisive about things. I usually just make up my mind and go for it 🙂
This is great! Also a reminder I need to put my big girl panties on and make a decision!
Thanks for this. Making a decision is the hardest part!
great quote- thanks for the great advice.
You always have fantastic advice! I never think I’m ahead
You have to think ahead a few moves. See the whole trail, not just the rock in front of you.
I never thought about strategic thinking having so many components. But it definitely makes sense!
I always love reading your posts because they’re so uplifting and inspirational! I think I’d use my strategic thinking skills to figure out a plan for myself when it comes to working and making a living. I really want to move out into a house of my own and I’m going to make that happen despite my inability to hold down a job due to chronic illness!
I have to do this every day with my job! it takes a lot of patience!
Even if a decision ends up being “bad” or “wrong,” it can be fixed! The path isn’t always smooth, and learning how to make decisions is part of being an adult.
I tend to think of strategic thinking in terms of on-the-job. You’re right though, it’s very useful in the home too.
i’m the decision maker. I’m a reasonable thinker most of the time while my husband is a reactive thinker
Decisions are important. Some can be a bit challenging and I prefer to take my time and not rush with those.
I am not good at making decisions. I am not sure when I turned into a “grown up” and who made me the “decider!”
great advice. I am pretty strategic with my thinking. I make decisions fairly quickly and look at all angles to get to the best decision
Thinking through a decision can take time and isn’t always easy, that’s for sure. – Jenn @ The Rebel Chick
i really need to do more strategic thinking. I often act on impulse.
This is something I really need to work on. I’m not decisive at all.
I need to really plan out the rest of the year. I tend to take it as it comes, but I shouldn’t do that!
I try to make a decision but sometimes I just can’t, or don’t want to. But this is something I continue to work on.
That is a great list to help think strategicly. There is so mcuh I want to do I need to make a plan.
I tend to weigh options for a while. But it’s important to make a choice and go with it.
Strategic thinking can be helpful in many aspects in life. I always try and make my decisions wisely. This includes analyzing my actions and reactions before making choices.
I try and make lists and organize my thoughts when I have something I’m working on. Sometimes an outline or idea dump really helps!
I like to be indecisive now and then, but most of all I am a planner,.
I get stuck on the interpret step. I never know how to read situations sometimes.
I’m very indecisive in general! My husband is much better at deciding than I am!
I think strategic thinking is a lot better than impulse thinking or indecisiveness. Great info!
I am WAY too indecisive about pretty much anything and everything.
Playing what if can help you decide what outcome is best for you. I like making decisions… it’s easy!
Sometimes I can be a little indecisive and the decision ends up being made for me, so I need to get better about figuring out what i want.