My next-door neighbor when I was growing up was a true adventurer. She made trips all over the world, including, amazingly enough, one to the North Pole. In preparation for her grueling trip across the miles of ice, she would rollerblade in the neighborhood, dragging a tire from a rope tied around her waist. Needless to say, she received some funny looks. Although most kept their opinions to themselves, one passerby apparently recognized a hint of the monastic in her training. He remarked, “I don't even want to know what you did to deserve that penance.”

The history of people's reactions to their own poor choices is a fascinating one. Although most don't go to the lengths of medieval monks to try to rid themselves of guilty feelings after a bad decision, a poor judgment call on the job can be a haunting specter for a long time afterward, injuring self-confidence, damaging relationships, and impeding career goals. Many have questioned whether there is much point in “crying over spilt milk,” yet there is utter unanimity regarding the merits of avoiding bad decisions in the first place.

While perfection is never a realistic human goal, there are ways to improve our decision-making skills. Among the most significant of these are learning to minimize mental distractions, knowing when you should seek advice, and developing a practical approach to make sure that you are spending more time on what matters most.

Hungry, Tired, and Distracted

Although some of the psychological and physiological factors that go into poor decision-making can be quite complex, the most common are far less mysterious. Making sound judgments when tired, hungry, or dehydrated can be a real challenge. I have been continuously struck as a parent to see how my children exhibit some of their worst behaviors when one of these three basic culprits is to blame. Sure, growth and maturity can help us to moderate the effects of fatigue, but our physical needs can represent a significant distraction in our adult lives as well. The timeless caveat against doing things “on an empty stomach” and the old adage to “sleep on it” are invaluable considerations when you have an important decision at hand.

Phone a Friend

A big part of making prudent decisions is realizing when you can't make them all by yourself. That's why the best leaders try to surround themselves with knowledgeable people who are good at giving sound advice. As the old proverb goes, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” (Proverbs 15:22) The wise know the extent of their knowledge; can admit and recognize their blind spots; and will seek out advice when they know they need it.

Ethics and the Dollar

Of course, decisions in a claim department often must be made quickly. While this can be challenging for the more pensive among our ranks, the task can usually be managed chiefly through a proper attention to priorities. Perhaps the two biggest factors to consider are ethics and money. Barring a significant ethical consideration, decisions involving minor amounts of money usually should be made more quickly, and the analyses of subordinates and peers should be more readily trusted.

When more money or an ethical dilemma is at issue, a greater level of time and care is usually in order. “Trust but verify” then becomes an important rule of thumb even after receiving advice from the most faithful advisor. The temptation to rush must be resisted; a snap judgment can be way too costly to your career or to the welfare of others.

Recovering After a Blunder

One of my favorite stories from Greek mythology is about Pandora. Known above all else for her curiosity, Pandora felt compelled to find out what was inside a chest the gods had marked as forbidden. When she popped the lid, disease, mischief, strife, sorrows, and a host of other evils escaped before she could close it down again. But for whatever reason, the gods had included hope with the misfortunes. The ancient Greeks regarded her escape as a tremendous blessing, as they believed that hope was humanity's sole, consistent comfort in life.

If you have made a poor decision, then remember the value of hope. Don't overreact. Do what damage control you can, and then try to let it go and focus on the future. Being overly self-critical usually serves no useful purpose. This neither corrects problems nor helps you prepare for the next decision. That said, let's leave the self-mortification to monks.

Many regard the making of tough decisions as one of the evils of Pandora's Box, but a “hopeful” side of the process can be found in its challenge. Perhaps none loved a dilemma more than Dr. John Hunter, an 18th-century English doctor whom is considered to be the pre-eminent pioneer of modern surgery. Dr. Hunter's many discoveries — including breakthroughs involving fetal development, the lymphatic system, and blood circulation — brought about a higher understanding of anatomy and physiology to the medical community while helping clarify many of the misconceptions of traditional medicine.

His unorthodox style and lack of concern for convention made Dr. Hunter a natural target, but he remained undeterred even in the greatest storms of criticism. This resilience seems to have come from his love of solving problems. In fact, he came to regard the dilemma as one of life's most rewarding challenges, once remarking that “I love to be puzzled, for then I am sure that I shall learn something valuable.”

Barrett A. Evans, CPCU, AIC, is a regional claim manager with Insurance House in Winston-Salem, N.C. He may be reached at 866-268-8383; [email protected].