The decisions you make today will determine the stories you tell tomorrow – Craig Groeschel
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Friends, how many times have we faced a life-altering decision and relied solely on gut feelings or fleeting emotions? Choosing a home, a career, or even a new car—these aren’t choices we can afford to leave to chance. We need a framework, a tool to guide us. That’s where the decision matrix comes in.
It’s not just for big life choices, either. This tool is invaluable in business, helping us navigate complex options with clarity.
Here’s the problem: We often get overwhelmed by the sheer number of factors involved. We know what we want, but we struggle to prioritize.
The Solution: The Decision Matrix
- List Your Criteria: Start by identifying the key factors that matter to you. For a home, it might be price, location, size, or commute time.
- Prioritize: This is where we bring order to the chaos. You have two options:
- Force Ranking: Rank each criterion from most to least important. If you have six criteria, assign points from 6 (most important) to 1 (least important).
- Weighting: Assign points based on “must-haves” (5 points), “important to haves” (3 points), and “nice to haves” (1 point).
- Build Your Matrix: Create a spreadsheet or table(like the one below). List your criteria down the left side and your options across the top.
- Score and Multiply: Evaluate each option against each criterion. Use a simple scoring system (e.g., 5 for perfect fit, 3 for good fit, 1 for poor fit). Then, multiply these scores by your ranking or weighting points.
- Calculate Totals: Add up the multiplied scores for each option. The option with the highest total is your “best fit” on paper.
- Test Your Instinct: Now, here’s the crucial step: listen to your gut. Does the highest-scoring option feel right? If not, dig deeper. What’s causing the disconnect?
- Pray: For significant decisions, don’t overlook the power of prayer. Seek wisdom and guidance beyond your own understanding.
- Consult Your Spouse: Especially for major purchases or life changes, discuss the decision with your spouse. Even if the matrix points you in a clear direction (like, say, a Corvette vs. a Ferrari—and yes, the matrix would likely favor the Corvette!), your spouse’s input is invaluable. (Haha!)
Why This Works:
- Clarity: It forces you to define and prioritize your needs.
- Objectivity: It removes emotional bias from the decision-making process.
- Organization: It provides a clear visual representation of your options.
- Wisdom: It incorporates prayer and spousal input for well-rounded decision-making.
Simplified Illustration:
Imagine choosing a car:
| Criteria | Weight (5/3/1) | Car A (Score: 1-5) | Car A Total | Car B (Score: 1-5) | Car B Total |
| Price | 5 | 4 | 20 | 3 | 15 |
| Fuel Efficiency | 3 | 5 | 15 | 2 | 6 |
| Safety | 5 | 5 | 25 | 5 | 25 |
| Reliability | 3 | 3 | 9 | 4 | 12 |
| Style | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Total | 71 | 63 |
Friends, let’s not mistake this decision matrix for a magic wand. It’s a tool, a powerful one, but just a tool nonetheless. We’re not just aiming for “okay” choices; we’re striving for decisions that echo wisdom, integrity, and foresight.
The decision matrix helps us build that foundation of trust by bringing clarity and objectivity to our choices. It forces us to step back from the emotional whirlwind and examine the facts.
However, let’s be clear: numbers alone don’t tell the whole story. As leaders, we’re dealing with people, with complex situations, with nuances that spreadsheets can’t capture. That’s where wisdom comes in.
Wisdom isn’t merely knowledge; it’s the ability to apply knowledge with discernment. It’s understanding the “why” behind the “what.” It’s listening to that still, small voice within, that gut feeling that often speaks truth when logic falls short.
And for those of us who walk by faith, wisdom also means seeking guidance beyond ourselves. It means acknowledging that our understanding is limited and that we need a higher perspective. That’s why I strongly encourage you to incorporate prayer into your decision-making process. Seek divine wisdom, ask for clarity, and trust that God’s guidance will illuminate your path.
Now, let’s talk about wise counsel, specifically the counsel of your spouse. Because, let’s face it, even the best decision matrix can’t account for the “shared life” factor. Especially when it comes to significant purchases or life changes, consulting your spouse isn’t just a good idea; it’s essential for marital harmony and longevity!
Imagine this: you’ve meticulously plugged in all the criteria—performance, style, resale value, etc.—and the matrix clearly points to a brand-new Corvette. You’re ready to sign on the dotted line! But then, you remember… your spouse. And you realize, “Hmm, maybe ‘marital bliss’ should have been one of the criteria.” (Haha!)
Seriously, though, your spouse often sees angles you miss. They provide emotional support, and they hold you accountable. Remember, decision making is not a solo endeavor; it’s a team effort, especially at home.
In essence, we’re not just making decisions; we’re shaping our own future and the future of those we lead. Let’s strive to make them with wisdom, integrity, and a heart that seeks to honor God and serve others… and maybe avoid sleeping on the couch.
Being successful as a leader requires intentional leadership habits. That’s why I developed the Ideal Week template – a tool that helps me identify disciplines and habits needed for success and allocate the necessary time. It guides you through planning your ideal week, ensuring you dedicate time to the activities that bring you closer to your goals.
Want to give it a try? Email me at [email protected] with the words ‘IDEAL WEEK’ in the subject line and I’ll send you a copy of the Ideal Week template complete with a sample to get you started!
- Quote of the week:
Once a decision is made, you should stop worrying and start working. It’s not always what we know that makes it a good decision. It is what we do to implement and execute it that makes it a good decision. – John Maxwell
What You Need to Do:
Call to Action: Ready to simplify your decision-making process? Don’t let emotions or guesswork dictate your choices. I’ve created a user-friendly decision matrix spreadsheet that does all the calculations for you. To receive your free copy, simply email me with the subject line ‘DECISION‘ and I’ll send it right over. Start making wise, informed decisions today!
It’s an honor to be your trusted “Friday Coffee Guy”. Each week, I’m excited to provide yet another round of curated content that I’ve been reading, listening to, watching, or thinking over. The purpose of the Champions Brew is to inspire, equip and encourage you to become the uncommon leader you were designed to be. I am so grateful for your decision to invest a few moments with me! I hope you enjoyed this week’s edition of Champions Brew. If you did, I would appreciate it if you would share it with someone who might enjoy it as well and ask them to subscribe! I will make sure they automatically get this email every week.
Until next time, Go and Grow Champions!
P.S. – Are you a podcast fan? Maybe the Uncommon Leader podcast is for you. Are you interested in being a guest on the Uncommon Leader Podcast? Do you have a story to tell? Email me [email protected] and let’s have a chat and set something up!!
