The book, Decisions: How to Master the Art of Decision Making, by Dr Pankaj Garg offers a roadmap for making balanced decisions which is one of the most difficult things to do. The author is a renowned surgeon and innovator and the book delves into a topic which is of relevance to every human being.
This book is for all those who are in need of clear directions to navigate life. It is not only about investment/corporate/business-oriented decisions like the majority of books available out there but focuses on decisions of everyday life. The majority of daily decisions involve emotions and it’s challenging to take them while balancing our emotions. Taking into account the variety of hurdles faced by every individual in his/her daily life, Dr Garg lays down a step-by-step approach to face and resolve them rather than taking the “avoidance path”.
Divided into four parts, the first one rightly exhorts the reader to realise life’s long-term goals and prioritise issues and time. Part two helps in the process of decision-making and discusses important concepts such as stimulus-response gap, emotional quotient (EQ), seeking advice and methods to optimise them. EQ has been described in great detail and clarity providing insight in understanding and improving one’s EQ. EQ, unlike IQ (intelligence quotient), can be improved is a fascinating idea. The concept of not getting offended by the troubling actions of others is also interesting and original.
The next part is dedicated to the evaluation of decisions, meditation and other crucial issues such as enhancing mental faculties. In which the “law of shifting responsibilities” is described to handle the feeling of guilt while analysing wrong/painful decisions. It is thoughtful, practical and of immense help for self-improvement. The fourth part deals with the charting of options, the final step and the overview of decisionmaking. A summary given at the end of every chapter helps to absorb its zest.
It is a remarkable read for all but more useful for youngsters and people in their early stage of career. Though, of course, decision making continues through the life. Lucid and practical, the narrative incorporates stories and experiences that make it easier to understand as well as implement in real-life situations. The personal anecdotes add to its appeal.
The language is kept simple to help the common people understand it better. The flow of stories is admirable and has an array of examples, which I believe are valuable lessons from the author’s life.
The book is gripping which can be witnessed from the ‘Boston experience’ in the very first chapter that sets the boat sailing. The tempo keeps on building and finishes off in style. Although there are over 20 stories in this small book, it is not easy to understand the concepts of decision-making in the first read as these are concentrated.
The book has some flaws as well. The concept of meditation, though dealt in good detail, would have been better if some light was thrown on a few specific methods of meditation for the reader’s benefit. ‘Boston experience’ has been described to dig out one’s long-term goals from the subconscious which I found quite helpful. But it would have been better if some alternative method was also discussed.
Overall, it’s a fantastic book on a useful but rarely found topic of decision-making.
Dr Pankaj Garg’s book, ‘Decisions’, is published by Notionpress.
