ARE YOU A DECISION MAKER?

Jun 25, 2021

“Your life choices aren’t just about what you want to do; they’re about who you want to be” – Joshua Rothman

Are you a decision maker? Of course you are. If not for a major corporation or start-up, at least for your family or your own life. Do you want to get face-to-face with the biggest decision maker who can improve your life and business? Look in the mirror.

This article is dedicated to all our parents and students who wants to take charge by being a more effective decision maker, whilst providing you with the effective tools to help yourself and your child navigate the process and achieving this goal.

It is crucial for young people to understand this process to help empower them to make confident, positive decisions regarding the social, emotional and physical wellbeing for themselves and those around them as they move toward independence.  

Being an effective decision maker helps any person make the best choices, but more than that, it lets you decide what the choices are and, in fact, what problem is being solved. More than anything else, it puts you in charge of your life. It is probably the most important skill for success.

So, why does everybody hate making decisions? You never hear anyone say, “Yay! I have a decision to make!” Decisions are seen as stumbling blocks rather than opportunities. The best way is to approach this process is to ask the following questions: 
  • What decision needs to be made,
  • What are the options,
  • Evaluate the options and pick the best one (pros and cons list), and 
  • Act on your choice and see how it works. And don’t be afraid to fail. 
Decision-making is both art and science. There is an entire discipline of decision science. You can get a degree on the subject. Decision science teaches you how to maximize the expected value of your utility function. What does that mean? How does this apply to real people making real decisions? 

Decision science often focuses on making a choice among alternatives, yet being an effective decision maker requires much more than this. This is where the art comes in. 
  • What is the most important problem to be solved? 
  • What are the alternatives? 
  • What does the future hold? 
  • What about all these conflicting goals? 
To do this well requires both courage and imagination. Pep talks help, but specific tools and techniques are better. The secret is to strike a balance. 

Here are 10 tips that will help you develop, strengthen and flex your decision-making skills.
  1. Know your goal.
  2. Never make decisions in a bad frame of mind or in a haste.
  3. Understand all your options. 
  4. Visualize your future, does this decision benefit your long-term goal.  
  5. Eliminate the unwanted. Making good decisions isn’t always about focusing on what you want, but sometimes about focusing what you don’t want but rather need. 
  6. While aiming for the best, remember that it is not always your only option. Sometimes taking the lesser road travelled, brings you to great success. 
  7. Don’t overthink things.
  8. Sometimes taking your own advice, is good advice. Imagine you are speaking to a third party that needs the same advice you are about to give ‘yourself’. Sometimes removing yourself from the equation, gives you clearer perspective. 
  9. Look to others when needed. You can learn a lot from other people’s experiences. 
  10. Always trust our instinct – if it doesn’t sit well with you walk away. 
By no means can every tip teach good decision-making, however it is the perfect place to start!

To embrace good decision-making skills is to empower yourself and our younger generation, in making positive life choices as you navigate the challenges of life. So, make the effort master the art of decision-making.

By Gaborone International School 03 May, 2024
Mindfulness A fast-paced workplace where one is always overwhelmed with packed schedules, deadlines to meet and never having downtime, can contribute to burnout and ineffective discharge of duties. One of the ways in which this can be mitigated is by practicing mindfulness . What is Mindfulness? Mindfulness is an act of meditation which teaches the practitioner to be present and not to let their mind wander. Practicing this form of meditation can bring many benefits and help reduce stress and improve memory. Through mindfulness you may be able to focus on the positive things in your life and give less energy to the things that may be harmful to you either mentally or physically. If left to its own devices, the mind will wander, and this can be a problem if you are trying to complete tasks to your full potential. If you can condition your mind to focus, you will be able to give everything you do a lot of attention, and this will help in creating the best output. The mind needs to be trained and mindfulness is a good practice to train your mind to focus on one thing at a time and give it your all. Mindfulness can be done to help you connect with yourself and your inner peace. It is beneficial to everyone; whether spiritual, religious or those who do not believe in a higher power at all. It is just a way to connect with yourself. Some experts believe that through mindfulness you will be able to accept your life experiences and work through them rather than avoiding them. You can couple this with therapy and be able to gain a deeper understanding of yourself. The beauty of this practice is that it can be done at any time, once you start getting used to the action. The easiest way to start is to find a quiet place and focus on your breathing. You have to breath intentionally and do not be hard on yourself if your mind starts to wonder, just bring yourself back to focusing on your breathing. The Benefits of Mindfulness Some of the benefits of mindfulness are that it improves mental health , it can help to reduce stress and even elevate your mood. It has been known to be used in the treatment of anxiety or depression. If you can live in the moment, it can help you not over to think situations or dwell on negative experiences. You can also control your emotions through the practice of mindfulness which can help if you have anger issues or have problems managing your stress levels. It is also helpful for lowering your heart rate because you will be breathing deeply therefore preventing health issues. The other benefits are being able to be calm in different situations and this type of focus can help you perform better at work or at school. Being able to be present allows for better performance because you will not be easily distracted and can complete the task at hand. Mindfulness also helps with creativity which can be a benefit when it comes to problem solving. You will be able to come up with new ways to help yourself and others. Furthermore, mindfulness can help you sleep better. If you are not constantly thinking about random things you will be able to fall asleep quicker and get an adequate amount of sleep which is important for mental health. According to Harvard health, mindfulness can improve physical health too, it can help reduce chronic pain and improve inflammation. In conclusion, mindfulness is a great tool to help heal your mind and body subsequently, increasing the quality of life and making it easier to handle stressful situations. Through mindfulness you can become an overall better person.
By Gaborone International School 25 Apr, 2024
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By Gaborone International School 06 Mar, 2024
In the dynamic realm of education, technology plays a pivotal role in reshaping instructional methods and the learning experience at Gaborone International School (GIS ). From early childhood to higher education, technology permeates every facet of modern learning and unlocks diverse possibilities. 1. Early Computing Exposure: In the past, computer literacy was delayed to later schooling stages, but GIS prioritises early technology exposure. Even our youngest learners engage with educational software , mastering fundamental computer skills before literacy in traditional subjects. This early exposure not only equips them with essential tools but also cultivates comfort and adaptability in the digital era. 2. Online Research Integration: The internet allows GIS students to explore diverse subjects and access academic resources beyond textbooks. Platforms like Google Scholar empower students to enhance comprehension and critical thinking skills. 3. Educational Video Utilization: Platforms like YouTube serve as invaluable educational resources, offering diverse content across subjects. Supervised video viewing supplements classroom instruction, catering to various learning styles. For example, science teachers use YouTube to demonstrate chemical reactions, fostering deeper understanding and appreciation among students. 4. Robotics Integration: GIS' Science and Technology lab transcends theoretical learning, incorporating robotics for practical application. Students engage in experiential learning by building and programming robots, honing problem-solving skills across physics, engineering, and programming. 5. Enhanced Parental Engagement: Technology bridges school and home , facilitating smooth communication and parental involvement. Online platforms enable virtual school meetings, real-time access to academic reports, and effortless communication with teachers, strengthening the home-school partnership. In conclusion, technology has become integral at GIS , reshaping education and enriching the learning experience. From early childhood to advanced learning, technology empowers students to thrive in the digital age and beyond.
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