Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski On Decision Making

Decision-Making and Assertiveness

In this section, the speaker discusses how decision-making is a part of assertiveness. He emphasizes that decision-making is not limited to interactions with others but also involves making personal decisions. The speaker highlights the importance of making decisions with integrity and self-confidence.

Making Decisions

• Indecisiveness can lead to trivial arguments, but there are important decisions in life such as choosing a profession or spouse.

• Decision-making occurs at all levels, from personal choices to professional ones like treating patients.

• We should recognize that we may not always make the correct decision, but our decision-making should be guided by integrity.

• Desires and impulses can color our decision-making, leading us to make decisions based on what we want rather than what is right.

Self-Confidence in Decision-Making

• The speaker suggests that when we have a desire to do something, we should first consider why we shouldn't do it before making a decision.

• Not making a decision is still a decision; therefore, it's essential to have self-confidence in our ability to make decisions.

• Allowing others to make decisions for us can result in worse outcomes than if we had made the decision ourselves.

Prayer and Acceptance

• The speaker suggests praying for guidance when making decisions and accepting that even after doing our best, the outcome may not be what we wanted. A poor outcome does not necessarily mean that the decision was bad; instead, good or bad depends on how well-informed and thought-out the choice was.