Making decisions is one of the key functions of senior executives, but really, in any walk of life, and even in the family effective decision making is essential to health, wealth, and overall happiness.

Why is it then, that making decisions is a hang-up for so many people, making it one of the leading hidden causes of procrastination?

One reason is people are often operating in a vacuum of information. The person who knows he needs to have a nasty skin eruption looked into may put off going to a doctor because he doesnt know where to turn to find a reliable specialist. Usually healthy as a horse, he hasnt seen a doctor for years, and he doesnt know where to look or whom to call first for guidance.

Another problem for people is the over-generalization that decisions are almost always irreversible, when thats definitely not the case. The job hunter who is offered a reasonably attractive post, but that has a distinct disadvantage or two, fails to act because in his mind he believes if he accepts the offer hell be stuck for years.

It never occurs to him that he can un-accept the assignment just as quickly as he grabs it, especially if a sounder opportunity opens up for him.

Unless youre about to jump off a cliff, almost every other decision is reversible, with less effort than most of us imagine.

Of course managers who want to be heroes to their staff put off vital matters regarding who needs to be downsized, or reassigned, retrained, or demoted. Never easy to do, acting in this arena takes its toll on the grittiest bosses.

One thing they need to tell themselves when they sense theyre resisting making a critical personnel decision is that it will never become easier; and that theres really no good or ideal time to face facts and pull the trigger.

All they can hope to do is to be thorough in preparing for the event, assuring them that theyve objectively weighed the relevant alternatives.

In some cases, a decision doesnt have to be made at all. Instead of loading our kids up with antibiotics or other drugs at the first sign of a cold we can purposely delay, monitoring the progress of the illness until were convinced it wont pass on its own.

Not making a decision is also making a decision.

Echoing this idea is former Governor of California, Jerry Brown, who said Inaction can be the highest form of action.

While most of would love to be considered decisive, in some cases it is better to be patient, and prudent.