Every day we make decisions, from small to large, from minor to life-changing. We decide what to eat for breakfast, what profession to master, whom to date. We weigh options, analyze the consequences, take risks. Do you often notice the burden of responsibility? Are you worried that everything did not work out the way you wanted? You are not alone! American Annie Duke has been playing poker for many years and understands a thing or two about risks and rewards, quick position assessment and decision-making. She became the first woman to win the World Series of Champions of Poker. And here's what she recommends …
1. Accept uncertainty
We have to make decisions constantly and often have no idea where this will lead. We cannot calculate how traffic jams will affect the time of coming to work, how friends will react to the dinner you cooked … The need to make important decisions (changing jobs, buying an apartment, giving up alcohol) forces the brain to work at high speeds, causing stress. What if we make the wrong choice?
The fact is that a small dose of anxiety helps to keep motivation and energy, and also to remember this moment forever. With its help, we weigh the options and analyze the situation. But it also poisons decisions, sometimes forcing them to quickly regret their choice.
It is important to understand here that all you can do is prepare and act, and the rest does not depend on you!
Poker players, like professional athletes, rely on their skills and luck. They can blame failure on failure, but not on the fact that they made the wrong choice, because in poker there are always opponents' cards, you do not see them and you cannot take responsibility for it. Therefore, it is important to be able to separate ability from luck, and then it will become easier to make decisions.
Move forward, trust yourself and let the universe do its job.
2. Stop focusing only on the result
Annie Duke coined the term “outcome,” when you weigh the probability of success against a set of different parameters. For example, you broke up with your partner, but this does not mean that you are bad and will always suffer. Losing loved ones is terrible, but you were strong enough to do it, you put yourself first. And this sadness does not mean that the decision was wrong and that you need to doubt every step you take.
Another example is starting your own business. Small profits in the first year - a sign of failure? Not at all! Now you understand how much work you need to invest in order to get the best result in the second year. And even if the business goes out of business, it will not be possible to refer to a specific unfortunate decision. Yet there are many unknown variables: personnel, market conditions, competencies …
3. Go for broke
Imagine all the important decisions in your life as if you were playing poker: mentally place bets on each outcome. If you can think of the decision as a bet with a specific financial risk, it becomes easier. You will develop the ability to compete, sports excitement - and luck will turn its face. The desire to win will help you to believe in yourself and not scold yourself if you lose. And faith in yourself is the most valuable resource of a successful person.
Some decisions require you to go all-in, bet everything you have on them. Do not be afraid of this, because the one who does nothing is not mistaken.
4. Consider the environment
Sometimes it is easier to decide on something if you are surrounded by people who have already decided - and won. For example, it will be easier to overcome a bad habit if you are not alone in this battle, but in a group of like-minded people. It is important to give back to others, thanks to which you can grow as a person and make the right decision. In addition, it is important to communicate with people who have a different point of view, then you can look at the situation from a different angle.
5. You cannot predict the future
Never. These words drive some people into depression, others - on the contrary. You cannot control the behavior of others and you do not know what may happen tomorrow. But you can control your decisions!
