Slideshow image

"For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding." Proverbs 2:6

What do you do when you've done your due diligence to make the right decision and it turns out to be the wrong decision? You must own your decision by first accepting full responsibility, reevaluating your decision-making process, identifying lessons learned, and determining how to continue charging ahead. For many people, the hard part is finding the strength to keep going when they don't feel they have the strength to stand. I'm sure everyone has a story to tell about how a well-intentioned decision ended up doing more harm than good.  If this is where you are during this holiday season, my prayers are with you because it's undoubtedly a tough place to be. 

To help you move from where you currently are to where you would like to be, here are a few suggestions:

  • If your decision is unresolvable, that doesn't mean it can't be managed appropriately. Some decisions we make cannot be undone, while others can. Don't waste your time and energy trying to resolve something that's unresolvable. If you can't undo what you've done, focus on what you can manage and manage it.
  • What does managing a wrong decision look like?
  1. Don't be too hard on yourself. Forgive yourself for getting it wrong when you genuinely tried to get it right. 
  2. Don't be afraid to ask for help, by setting aside your pride and admitting that you don't have all of the answers. 
  3. Don't make matters worse by compounding upon your choice, making a bad decision worse. 
  4. Focus on your decision-making process more than the outcome. Instead of basic maintenance, your decision-making process may require an overall. 
  5. Remember, if your focus is solely on the outcome, you increase the likelihood of making emotionally fueled decisions. 

As you prepare for what life has in store for you today, remember what Character Council said about decision-making: "To live is to choose. But to choose well, you must know who you are and what you stand for, where you want to go and why you want to get there." 

2025 Copyright (c) Elton L. Young
All Rights Reserved