Work-related decisions sans alternatives

Our decisions are generally based on our desires, aptitudes, skill set, environment or our perceptions of events and people. Hence. most often, our decisions revolve around our ‘comfort zone’. We suffer from anxiety or fear if we have to take a decision outside our comfort zone. But what would be our action if we find ourselves in a position that offers us no scope for taking calculated ‘comfy’ decisions?

The most common and accepted meaning of decision-making is ‘it is the act of choosing the best course of action from available alternatives.’ It is seen as making calculated choice from available alternatives or choosing the best alternative for achieving the desired outcome. However, what if one does not have any choice at all? What if we do not have any alternative solution for our crisis?

Now, let us take the present COVID situation. Organizations are having a tough time, caught in the clutches of financial crisis. The pandemic has forced organizations to take the hard decision of terminating their employees or closing down their businesses. Millions have lost their jobs and are at crossroads knowing not the next course of action.

Taking decisions become more painful when people are left with no options. It is during these hard-pressed times that people end up taking wrong decisions. The decisions that they think would solve their problem, might actually lead to several other unexpected hitches or consequences. In fact, they might find themselves in a worse state than before. Hence, how should one take a decision when he or she is cornered and there are no alternative solutions. On what basis should one take a decision when options to our liking or expertise do not exist.

Perhaps the following tips would help when one does not have the luxury of choice.

Few tips for decision-making

1. Analyse the current situation – the first thing that is of paramount importance is to analyse one’s situation, assess the strengths and available resources, take note of limitations and lacks. It would do good to make a SWOT analysis in terms of key factors such as available resources, needs, challenges and goals
2. Look for new opportunities – When all doors are closed and options are not available, it would be beneficial to explore new opportunities and be willing to change or enter into a new field. A firm decision to learn new skills and develop one’s knowledge or expertise would help. Be prepared to grab any opportunities that comes your way. Perhaps, opportunities may not be in your area of expertise. Nevertheless, one could take a chance in trying out something new.
3. Take risks – When all doors are shut, why not take a risk? Alternatives may not be available, but there is nothing to lose in trying out new possibilities. However, devise a strategy before jumping into something that is new or challenging.
4. Apply the ‘survival instinct’ – When there are no alternatives to a challenging situation, the decision should be to survive under any circumstances. The idea is to fight the crisis and the pressures. This means, you do not wait for the situation to get back to normal, but you take a decision ‘to survive’ against all odds.

Even when there are no alternatives in your area of expertise, skill-set or experience, be open to new opportunities, new initiatives and new decisions.

Are you willing to step out of your comfort zone and take a decision to survive, even when there are no desirable options for you? Check out with this sample questionnaire