Q1 of 20 Page 95

Given below are a few quotations on decision making. In groups of four, discuss whether you agree or disagree with the ideas. Give reasons.

a) The risk of a wrong decision is preferable to the terror of indecision. Maimonides


b) No sensible decision can be made any longer without taking into account not only the world as it is, but the world as it will be. Isaac Asimov


c) Decisiveness is a characteristic of high-performing men and women. Almost any decision is better than no decision at all. Brian Tracy

a) I agree with the saying that “The risk of a wrong decision is preferable to the terror of indecision”. This holds true in our daily life. Everyday we have to make a lot of decisions. Let's take an example: When the alarm bell rings in the morning, you decide whether to snooze it and go back to bed or wake up and start the day. To make a decision, we always have two choices : do it or don't do it; yes or no. You can choose between the two options and get the job done, even if the outcome of your choice is bad, there is always a next time and when things go bad, you learn something. But if you are confused and cannot make a decision, you'll not be at peace, you'll be thinking about it at all times. The more you think, the more confused you become. At least you can face the consequences when you decide which is better being indecisive. Therefore, it is better to make a wrong decision than being in terror of indecision.

b) I disagree with the statement given above. I don't think so that all sensible decisions need to take into account what will happen into future. The best way to live is to live in the present, not living in the past or future therefore whenever we make a decision, we always think about the immediate outcome and not what will be the effect of that decision years later. Most decisions only have short and immediate results. Yes but those few decisions which can have a long lasting effect such as degradation of environment should be taken by considering the future impacts.


c) This holds true in our daily life. Everyday we have to make a lot of decisions. Let's take an example: When the alarm bell rings in the morning, you decide whether to snooze it and go back to bed or wake up and start the day. To make a decision, we always have two choices : do it or don't do it; yes or no. You can choose between the two options and get the job done, even if the outcome of your choice is bad, there is always a next time and when things go bad, you learn something. But if you are confused and cannot make a decision, you'll not be at peace, you'll be thinking about it at all times. The more you think, the more confused you become. At least you can face the consequences when you decide which is better being indecisive. Therefore, it is better to make a wrong decision than being in terror of indecision.


More from this chapter

All 20 →
5

'Forgiveness is the sweetest form of revenge" If Hamlet had followed this adage could he have saved his life. Write your answer in a paragraph, based on the story of Hamlets life and suitable examples from his soliloquy.

 1

As a counselor, what would be your words of advice to Hamlet? Why is it better to suffer the ‘slings and arrows of outrageous fortune’?

 2

As a counselor, you have been asked to address an audience of teenagers on how to build their self-esteem. Draft your speech in about 150-200 words.

 1

Read this soliloquy written by Colleen Myers

To snooze or not to snooze - that is the question:


Whether 'tis easier to rise on time


And face the harsh light of early day,


Or to stay huddled under the quilt,


And, by hiding, avoid the rays.


To rise, to hit the snooze button-


No more - and by rising to say I face


The early-morning preparations for the events


That each day holds-


'Tis a situation


I do not wish to face.


To snooze, to sleep-


To sleep, perhaps too long. Ay, there's the problem,


For in oversleeping what events may come about


When we are hiding from the alarm's harsh call


Must make us stop and think. That's the idea


That makes disaster of sleeping in.


For who really wants to face the 6 a.m sun,


The first period's quiz,


The morning person's obnoxious cheeriness,


The disappointment in decaffeinated coffee,


The dance class's early rehearsals,


The overly chipper song of the early bird,


And the cold looks


That early-risers send in my late-sleeping direction,


When they too may sleep in


On weekends free from tribulations?


Who would heed the alarm's early call,


To squint and yawn through the first hours of the day,


But that the horror that something may be missed while dozing,


The unknown events that have occurred which


The gossips discuss


While we stand in a confused daze,


Wishing we had risen on time


Instead of seeking those futile thirty minutes?


Thus the chance of missing out does make early risers of us all,


And thus the bliss of sleeping in


Is tainted by eye-opening thoughts of lost news,


And peaceful moments of dreams and sleep


With this regard their paths are cut short


And lose the dark in favor of the harsh light.


In groups of four choose any one of the following and write a soliloquy.


a) To write or not to write


b) To tweet or not to on twitter


c) To sing or not to sing