I usually adopt non-rational decisions in my personal life more often than at work. Such a decision choice happens because the work requires more responsibility and attention than some daily tasks. According to Uzonwanne (2016), rational decision-making is applied to “higher-level decision making of a more serious nature” (p. 2). People think more about the consequences of their actions and do not emphasize the moment of decision-making as something that will satisfy their current needs.
In my life, I usually make irrational decisions when it comes to shopping. When I see an advertisement that my favorite shop offers a 50-percent sale for the objects I may need in the future, I will buy them immediately instead of waiting for the moment I need them. As a result, I receive satisfaction from the purchase, but later I understand that I could do without it as well.
If I used the four steps for rational decision-making, I would adopt a more relevant decision. First, I would outline my current requests and examine an alternative sequence of actions. For example, if I see a book on a sale, and I want to buy this book just because it is 50 percent cheaper, I will have to stop and think about whether I need it at the current moment or not. If this book helps me develop my professional skills and become a better specialist in my job, I will buy it. However, if I need it to satisfy my shopping interest, I will not make this decision since it will be irrational. Thus, the steps would have helped me to make a more relevant choice and would have saved my money on the unnecessary purchase.
Reference
Uzonwanne, F. C. (2016). Rational model of decision making. In A. Farazmand (Ed.), Global encyclopedia of public administration, public policy, and governance (pp. 1-6). Springer International Publishing AG. Web.