Tariq Mahmood Awan
The Art of Decision-Making and Tough Choices in Pakistan
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Decision-making is the art of choosing the best option among several alternatives based on the available information, the desired outcome, and the possible consequences. Decision-making can be simple or complex, depending on the context, the stakes, and the number of factors involved. Cognitive biases, emotions, values, and preferences can also influence decision-making. Therefore, decision-making requires careful analysis, evaluation, and judgment to avoid errors and regrets.
The poem “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost is often interpreted as a metaphor for decision-making in life. The speaker faces a dilemma of choosing between two roads that diverge in a yellow wood. He or she examines both roads and tries to predict their outcomes but ultimately realizes that they are equally worn and covered with leaves. The speaker decides to take the road “less travelled by”, hoping that it will make a difference in his or her life. However, the speaker also acknowledges that he or she may never return to take the other road, and expresses a sigh of regret or nostalgia for the lost opportunity.
The poem illustrates the significance of decision-making because it shows how every choice we make has an impact on our future, and how we often have to deal with uncertainty and trade-offs. The poem also suggests that decision-making is not always rational or objective but rather influenced by our personal interpretation and narration of our experiences. The speaker claims that he or she took the road “less travelled by”, but there is no evidence in the poem that this is true. The speaker may be trying to justify his or her choice or create a sense of uniqueness or accomplishment. The poem also implies that decision-making is not a one-time event but a continuous process that shapes our identity and destiny. The speaker anticipates that he or she will tell this story “with a sigh” in the future, implying that decision-making is not only about choosing a path but also about reflecting on it and giving it meaning.
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Decision-making is a complex and multifaceted skill involving various aspects, such as social, psychological, emotional, substantive, mundane, rational, and honourable perspectives. Social perspective considers the impact of your decisions on other people, such as your family, friends, colleagues, patrons, or society at large. Accordingly, seek feedback and advice from others with relevant knowledge or experience. Be respectful and empathetic to different views and values. Communicate your decisions clearly and transparently to those who are affected by them.
Psychological perspective requires being aware of your cognitive biases, emotions, values, and preferences that may influence your decisions. Always try to reduce the effects of overconfidence, confirmation bias, anchoring, framing, sunk cost fallacy, and other common errors. Use meditation, mindfulness, or journaling techniques to manage your stress and emotions, which are vital for qualitative decision-making. Seek to learn from your mistakes and successes for solid decisions.
Emotional perspective is critical for decision-making. There is a need to recognize the role of emotions in decision-making. Emotions can provide helpful information about your preferences and values but can also cloud your judgment and lead to impulsive or irrational choices. Try to balance your intuition and logic using the techniques of (fast and intuitive) and (slow and analytical) thinking. Also, use tools such as the Six Thinking Hats or the SWOT analysis to explore different aspects of a decision. Emotions should play a key role in our decisions, as they represent the will of our hearts and soul.
Substantive perspective is the most crucial part of decision-making. Always focus on the substance and quality of your decisions. Define the problem or goal clearly and accurately. Gather relevant information and data from reliable sources. Analyze the information and data using appropriate methods and tools. Evaluate the pros and cons of each alternative. Choose the best option based on the criteria and objectives you have set. Substantive outcomes are vital to our decisions. We need to do the impact analysis of our decisions and choices substantively.
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The mundane perspective is also very significant in making decisions. Thus, Pay attention to the practical and logistical aspects of your decisions. Consider the feasibility, availability, affordability, and timeliness of each option. Think about the implementation and execution of your decisions. Plan ahead for potential obstacles and risks. Monitor and review the outcomes and impacts of your decisions. Adjust or revise your decisions as needed. Also, analyze the economic and financial outcomes and compare them with other unsubstantive emotions.
Rational perspective is the most potent factor in making quality decisions. Thus, apply logic and reason to your decisions. Use deductive or inductive reasoning to draw valid conclusions from the premises. Use critical thinking skills such as clarity, accuracy, relevance, consistency, validity, soundness, and fairness to evaluate arguments and evidence. Avoid logical fallacies such as ad hominem, straw man, false dilemma, slippery slope, hasty generalization, circular reasoning, and post hoc ergo propter hoc.
Finally, the perspective of honour is the most significant factor. Decisions are always honourable. Align your decisions with your moral principles and ethical values. Respect the rights and dignity of others. Act with honesty, integrity, responsibility, and accountability. Avoid conflicts of interest or immorality. Seek to promote justice, fairness, equality, diversity, and inclusion. Consider the common good and social welfare aspects in your decisions. Take righteous decisions so that you may not fall victim to moral depression.
Apart from the perspectives above, every decision is unique and context-dependent, so you may need to adapt or modify these suggestions according to your specific situation and goals. The most important thing is to be aware of the factors that influence your decisions and strive to make them as informed, rational, ethical, and beneficial as possible.
Furthermore, decision-making in a society and state like Pakistan is a complex and challenging task that requires considering various considerations, such as the country’s political, economic, social, and cultural context, which is characterized by diversity, instability, conflict, and inequality. The role and influence of different cultural actors and institutions in the decision-making process, such as the government, the parliament, the judiciary, the military, the media, the civil society, the religious groups, and the external powers, is significant. Sadly, most of our decisions, even personal ones, are regulated by society and the state.
Therefore, we need more social, administrative, cultural, economic and even personal choices.
However, it does not necessarily mean we abandon the will and choice to make independent decisions. While making decisions, we must realise that we are heroes of our lives and responsible for our decisions.
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