Use Good Judgment to Enjoy a Happier Life
“Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment,” said Will Rogers.
Image courtesy of Stuart Miles/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net
We all get up in the morning with good intentions to make wise choices. Boomers have their share of experience in life. So why do we sometimes make poor decisions?
Emotions often veil our ability to use good judgment, distort our thought processes, and lead us to ignore harmful consequences. Impulsiveness, peer pressure, fear, greed, lack of self-awareness, stress, and selfishness can also lead us astray.
So how can boomers use wisdom and good judgment to improve our lives and become happier? Fortunately, judgment is a skill that can be developed with time and patience. Here are five tips:
1. Be deliberate, take your time, and think before acting. Knee jerk responses and quick decisions typically lack wisdom. Don’t make snappy decisions just because you don’t want the decision hanging over you and you’re sick of thinking about it. Sometimes just being patient and waiting can lead to a natural and practical solution.
2. Carefully consider your objectives, alternatives, the likely consequences of your decision, and any potential trade-offs. Think outside the box to create resourceful alternatives. Weigh the uncertainties and risks.
3. Don’t simply rely on your own judgment. If you are a spiritual person, God’s council will never steer you wrong. Ask other people you respect for their advice and opinions to gain a new perspective. Invaluable council can be gained from spiritual advisers, mentors, family members, and trusted friends. Another person can bring clarity to a situation by sharing their experiences and offering a different and unexpected outlook.
4. Develop positive character traits to help you make good decisions. Traits, such as a respectful and responsible attitude toward yourself and others along with confidence are conducive to developing good judgment skills. Feel empowered by positive behaviors and decisions.
5. Poor decisions often result when people are tired, overworked, and stressed. Stay healthy, exercise, eat right and get enough sleep. Using good judgment also requires a healthy mental state. Be realistic about your personal strengths and limitations. Have a well-ordered sense of priority in all aspects of your life.
These are just a few ways you can use good judgment to enjoy a happier life. Brainstorm and I’m sure you can find more ways to make insightful, knowledgeable, astute decisions to improve your life.
