10 Ultimate Ways To Best Examine Your Decisions And Motives
Making decisions is an inherent part
of daily life. Whether big or small, your choices shape your life and influence your future. But how often do you pause to examine the motives behind your
decisions? Understanding your motives can lead to more informed, thoughtful, and
intentional choices, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling life.
Here are 10 ultimate ways to best
examine your decisions and motives. These are some serious questions you can
ask yourself when it comes to your motives and decisions BEFORE you act:
1.
What
is or are my ultimate or underlying reason(s) behind my desires?
When
contemplating your desires, it's essential to delve into the underlying motives
driving them. What are the ultimate reasons behind your desires? Are they rooted
in genuine needs, aspirations, or values? Or are they driven by more
superficial or self-serving intentions?
Beyond
understanding your motives, it's crucial to assess the potential outcomes of your
desires. Are the results you seek lawful or unlawful? Do they align with
societal norms and legal standards?
Moreover, you must consider the moral and ethical implications of your desires. Are your desired outcomes morally justifiable? Do they uphold principles of fairness, honesty, and integrity? Or do they compromise ethical standards and infringe upon the rights of others? Examining whether your desires are selfish or unselfish is also paramount.
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2.
Am
I doing something out of jealousy, rage, revenge, hate, or selfishness?
Ask
yourself: Am I motivated by jealousy towards someone else's success or
possessions? Is my desire fueled by rage or a desire for revenge due to past
grievances or grudges? Am I acting out of hate towards an individual or group? Or, am I solely
focused on fulfilling my own desires without considering the impact on others?
It's essential to consider whether your actions involve planning to injure or
harm someone. Intentionally causing harm to others, whether physical,
emotional, or psychological, may not be justified and often leads to negative
consequences for both parties involved.
3.
Am I doing something out of genuine love,
kindness, and from the goodness of my heart?
Kindness involves showing empathy, understanding, and generosity towards others. It's about treating people with respect and consideration, regardless of their circumstances or background. Acting from a place of goodness of your heart means making decisions based on principles of empathy, integrity, honesty, and compassion. It involves being guided by a moral compass that leads you to do what is right and just, even when it may be challenging or inconvenient.
4.
Am
I doing something solely for monetary reasons, financial gain, security, or
greed?
It's crucial
to consider whether your actions are solely driven by monetary reasons, financial gain, security, or greed. While financial stability is important,
prioritizing money above all else can lead to decisions that may not align with positive and non-harmful values or the well-being of others.
If your
actions are solely motivated by monetary gain, it's essential to pause and
reflect on whether this aligns with good character, positive values, and long-term goals. While
financial stability is important for meeting basic needs and providing for yourself and your loved ones, it shouldn't come at the expense of other aspects
of your life, such as yoru health, freedom, relationships, personal growth, or well-being.
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5.
Why
do I really want something or someone? Is it because I’m lonely? Afraid to be
alone?
By
understanding the root causes of your desires, you can make more informed
decisions and pursue relationships and goals that truly align with good character and values
and bring genuine fulfillment. This may involve addressing underlying feelings
of loneliness or insecurity and cultivating a sense of self-worth and
contentment independent of external factors.
Furthermore,
consider whether your desire for something or someone is a healthy expression
of your needs and desires, or if it's driven by a fear of being alone. Are you
afraid of facing your own company, or do you genuinely enjoy spending time with
yourself?
6.
Am
I doing it to make myself (or others) temporarily feel good or better? Am I
afraid to confront the real issues behind my feelings and actions?
Ask
yourself: Am I engaging in this activity or seeking this outcome to make myself
or others temporarily feel good or better? Is my motivation rooted in a desire
to numb pain, distract from uncomfortable emotions, or seek immediate pleasure?
Sometimes, it can be easy to quick fixes or temporary solutions to alleviate discomfort or
dissatisfaction in your life. This could involve indulging in unhealthy
behaviors, seeking validation from others, or pursuing short-term pleasures
that provide a temporary escape from your problems.
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7.
Am
I doing something to gain or keep from losing something or someone?
Ask
yourself: Am I engaging in this behavior to gain something I desire, or to
avoid losing something important to me? Is my motivation rooted in a genuine
desire to achieve my goals or maintain relationships, or am I resorting to
dishonesty and deceit to manipulate the situation?
Sometimes, you may be tempted to engage in dishonest or deceitful behavior to achieve your
desired outcomes or prevent negative consequences. This could involve maliciously lying to
protect yourself or others, manipulating facts or circumstances, or
withholding information to gain an advantage.
8.
Am
I doing something for altruistic reasons or self-gratification?
Reflect on
whether your actions have a positive or negative impact on yourself and others.
Are you contributing to the well-being and happiness of those around you, or
are you causing harm or distress?
By honestly
assessing your motives and the potential impact of your actions, you can strive to
act in ways that promote positivity, kindness, and genuine care for others.
This may involve practicing empathy, considering the needs of others, and
making choices that align with good character, positive values, and contribute to the positive and non-harmful greater good.
9.
Am
I doing something because it’s simply the right thing to do?
Doing
something because it's the right thing to do means acting in alignment with your
values and moral principles, even when it may be challenging or inconvenient.
It involves considering the consequences of our actions and choosing the course
of action that aligns with our sense of right and wrong.
By carefully considering these factors, you can ensure that your motives are aligned with moral, ethical, and/or religious principles and actions and contribute to positive outcomes for yourself and others. This may involve making sacrifices or difficult choices in the short term and long-term and prioritizing the well-being of everyone involved.
10.
Am
I doing something to genuinely leave the world better than I found it?
Acting with the goal of non-harmfully leaving the world much better than you found it involves a commitment to making meaningful contributions to society, the environment, or the well-being of others. It means considering the short and long-term implications of your actions and striving to create a world that is fair, just, empathetic, and compassionate.
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Conclusion
You may be constantly working on improving yourself but improving oneself involves more than glorifying your physical appearance, job title, and financial status. You can jeopardize your well-being and the well-being of others if you fail to examine your motives BEFORE you make life or spur-of-the-moment decisions.
It's more important to learn and know why you do the things you do and how your decisions can positively or negatively impact your life and well-being and the life and well-being of others. Get to the root causes of your Why's so you can make the best decisions. By incorporating these 10 ultimate ways
into your decision-making process, you can gain deeper insights into your
motives and make choices that lead to personal fulfillment, positive outcomes, and better relationships.
References
https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19426021-100-top-10-ways-to-make-better-decisions/
https://www.risely.me/decision-making-techniques-that-will-help-you/
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-improve-decision-making