All of us at some or the other point of time is supposed to make decisions. On an everyday basis we are supposed to make decisions related to one or the other aspect. From the small decision related to which dress to wear today to a complex decision which company to choose everything involves decision making.

Decision making is an essential leadership skill. If you can learn how to make timely, well-considered decisions, then you can lead your team to well-deserved success. If, however, you make poor decisions, your time as a leader will be brutally short.

Decision making can be hard. Almost any decision involves some conflicts or dissatisfaction. The difficult part is to pick one solution where the positive outcome can outweigh possible losses. Avoiding decisions often seems easier. Yet, making your own decisions and accepting the consequences are the only way to stay in control of your time, your success, and your life. Decision making skills are also a key component of time management skills.

There are seven steps that you can follow to make decisions.

1) Identify a problem or opportunity

The first step is to identify the problem   or see opportunities that may be worthwhile. Before solving the problem you need to 

make sure that whether the problems are really worth solving or whether they are useless.

2) Gather information

When you have decided that the problem is worth solving and worth considering collect all the relevant information related to the problem.

3)  Analyse the situation

Analyse the problem and find out how much serious the problem is. What are the other interpretations of data that can be analysed through the problems?

4) Develop options

Develop different options for your problems. Find out what are the realistic and feasible options that can be considered for the problem.

5) Evaluate alternatives

Evaluate the feasibility, desirability and acceptability of the alternatives. Find out which alternative will be best suitable for the solution.

6) Select a preferred alternative

Find out what are the consequences of taking some decision and also see to it that these decisions do not lead to some other problems rather than solving the problem.

7) Act on the decision

Once you have selected the alternative implement it and take action. See to it that taking that decision actually solves the problem.