What Is “Decision Strategy Innovation”?

The question does come up occasionally… As referred to in the work of CelaPhontus services, “decision strategy innovation” points to a particular, paradigmatic approach to thought and process development. It  incorporates rational, intuitive and creative skills, resulting in dynamic ways to engage challenges and opportunities.

In short it is the “How” of getting things done in more effective ways, potentially resulting in greater success with less doubt, effort and stress.

If the approach is engaged consistently, it can lead to much more personal and professional satisfaction, success, powerful results as well as long term resilience.

Well, that seems to be saying quite a bit.  Let’s briefly, somewhat unpack the subject.

Decision-Making

When we think of making decisions, the idea that comes to mind is often something life altering, like changing jobs or finding a new place to live. Most of us don’t stop and realize just how many decisions we are making constantly.  

In fact, so much of what we do becomes so automatic, we just call it a habit.  But likely, at a point earlier on there was some choice involved.

The emphasis here is on conscious decision-making, meaning making decisions with awareness that you are making them.

For instance, have you ever driven to work and once getting there had no idea how you did it, or any real recollection of what may have happened around you along the way? Presumably the car did not get you there on its own, so you must have made some driving decisions en route, but they were not very conscious ones.  

This can happen when we are very tired or preoccupied, or stressed and worried and not very aware of what we are doing, or how we are doing it.  We are just not present.  It can be a very dangerous state, and yet some of us lead whole parts of our lives this way at times.

So, the first important element is paying attention, using consciousness, being present, being aware, addressing the choices and actions mindfully.  Whatever we choose to call it, we need to be active participants in our decision-making.  Sometimes, we fear choices, feel blocked, confused, doubtful or overwhelmed. But, avoidance is only occasionally the answer. Often either the choice comes up again, or the outcome comes back to bite us.*

Someone once said to me that he just didn’t want to “think” that much.  It’s not as much a question of thinking as it is perceiving…. Being present, seeing and knowing where we are in life, and what may be at stake in our choices and actions helps us not only avoid obvious dangers, but also permits us to be more effective in taking those actions. In consequence, the work and life strategies that we are developing can grow from strength to strength.

Strategy Development 

So, back to those habits.  If we develop enough of them over time, they become our life-handling strategy. Obviously, some structure and consistency is important in life.

For example, if we are very casual in our orderliness (dare we say sloppy) it can lead to other impact on our life, such as our work. This could mean habits of missing deadlines, lack of attention to detail, etc.  An approach like this is not just a more relaxed work style, but in some situations can cost a promotion, or a job itself.

Another important element in our personal decision-strategies is responsiveness.

How and when do we respond?  Do we tend to respond or react? 

Being locked into a pattern of behavior can impede our ability to see and understand what is before us, whether it is a business negotiation, or knowing where and how you can exit the building in an emergency.

How can we employ an effective approach or strategy to opportunities and challenges if we have personal barriers to success, and engage formulaic reactions rather than seeing, perceiving and knowing what the most effective action is going to be at this time, and in this situation?

This may be a tough one, but no matter who we are, or what our strategic style is, if it is not bringing us the success we are working for and deserve, some innovation could be helpful.

Innovation

And this is my favorite part, the potentials for innovation.  This is where the perceptual awareness and creativity can at times make the difference between brilliant success, or at the very least knowing that you did all you could in a situation, or a feeling of failure.  This can mean the difference between developing resilience or succumbing to defeat, which in itself can become a habit if repeated often enough. Inner resources such as subjective awareness and emotional intelligence can be honed into very important tools.

So the question may be how is this innovation accomplished?

The answer is dependent on an analysis of the factors and elements involved.  More questions need to be asked, and the approach taken will depend on the answers.

As an example:
Who are the individuals involved?
What are the perceived issues?
What are underlying issues?
What are the opportunities for growth and development?
What are factors that may be impeding progress?
Are there possible unknowns that need to be explored before a new or adapted strategy can be implemented?
And so on… 

This process of decision strategy innovation can be very exciting and productive for us, if we roll up our sleeves and engage each day with all its challenges and opportunities dynamically, and with awareness.  It is a process that can be developed whatever our habits or strategies have been before.

Approaching our lives in this way will enable us to do our best, and be our very best, whether taking care of ourselves and our families or leading a company.  And that after all, is all any of us can do.

* Please note CelaPhontus Service’s are not intended as a substitute for any medical, psychological or emotional counseling which may be helpful/necessary in dealing with chronic, debilitating or other issues that may represent serous blocks to health, wellbeing and decision-making.  Please seek the advice of professional medical and counseling services in such cases.