How to Make Decisions (A Blueprint for Overcoming Indecision)

Have you ever been stressed out about how to make a decision for so long that you missed the boat? 

• Your crush got engaged before you decided to ask them out.
• Your colleague got that promotion before you decided to go after it.
• Your friend made a killing on that investment before you decided whether to buy in.

Whether it’s deciding what to cook for dinner tonight, or whether to quit your job or change careers at a pivotal point in your life, we face difficult choices almost every day.

Making the right decision (and conversely, making the wrong one) can have massive consequences for your future and well-being.

That’s a lot of pressure, right?

That’s why you need a framework for how to make decisions and take confident action, even when the stakes are high and you can’t predict the outcome.

The Importance of Making the Right Decisions

Daily decisions can profoundly impact our future, even if it may not seem like it at the moment. 

These decisions may seem small in comparison to life’s bigger picture, but even the smallest decisions, when made correctly and consistently over time, can have a huge impact on your life’s trajectory.

For example: 

• A daily decision to go to bed on time instead of going out with friends during the week could help you perform exceptionally at work and get the big promotion you’ve had your eye on.
• Deciding to set aside 30 minutes a day of writing in the morning could add up to publishing your first book or short story.
• Choosing a weekly date night with your partner can mean the difference between drifting apart and building a stronger connection for years to come.

But for this to happen, you have to act rather than think too long about the decision at hand.

Although you might be worried about making a decision that negatively affects your life, you also have to realize that being indecisive is a waste of opportunity and time.

In fact, research has found that deliberating on a decision actually makes it more challenging.

The worst type of decision is inaction, so don’t get stuck trying to make perfect decisions. 

I know what you’re thinking, “Sure. Easier said than done!”

That’s why I’ve outlined a number of techniques below to help you make the best possible decisions. 

9 Techniques for Arriving at the Best Possible Outcome

Without a framework, the process of decision-making can quickly become stressful and overwhelming. 

But estimating risk from a place of fear and stress are actually detrimental to our ability to make good decisions. 

The best decisions are made when your heart and intuition come together with your logical mind, and fear is taken out of the equation.

With that mind, I’ve put together some tips that bring together the heart and mind to help you make the best possible decision.

1. Get Clarity: What Am I Deciding?

Start with getting clarity on what you’re deciding, asking yourself “What am I really doing here?”

You may be deciding between two paths towards the same goal — or between two entirely different goals. And the difference changes the equation! 

Success comes from practical goal setting – that is, writing down your goals with intention.

But before you begin writing, take a moment to breathe. 

Silence provides mental clarity and ensures that your goals come from the heart rather than a busy mind.

By laying out your goals and attaching actions to each, you lay out precisely what you need to do to achieve your dreams. 

When faced with decisions, you can always compare them to your goals to determine whether or not they will serve your greater purpose.

2. Understand Your Why

One of the questions I ask myself when making big decisions is “What’s my why?”

Once you’ve written down all your goals, set out to discover your why. 

Start by looking at what led you to this moment or choice.

Did someone request something from you that will distract from your own goals – or is this decision about intentionally going after what you want?

Then, consider the purpose behind making this decision.

Is the purpose to make your life better, to fulfill an important responsibility, or to make someone else’s life more convenient?

Attaching your own definition of why to each decision invites you to connect meaning and value that can, in turn, make it easier to make decisions. 

When you see the reason and benefit behind your decision, you’re more likely to make the right choice.

3. Align Your Values

When it comes to making decisions, you can simplify the process by meditating on whether the outcome of the decision resonates with your values and beliefs.

While this isn’t possible 100% of the time, you can train yourself to get better by listening to your emotions and inner self before you make a decision.

Let both guide you towards an outcome that resonates with who you are. Once you’ve clarified your values and understand what you care about fundamentally, you can use both to help make decisions so that any potential outcomes better align with who you are. 

4. Imagine Your Future One Year After You Make Your Decision

You can’t predict the future, but you can use the powerful tool of imagination to help you understand how your actions today might play out tomorrow.

For example, let’s say you’re thinking about moving to a different country for work. When you look back a year from now, do you think you will be happy about moving?

Conversely, if you decide not to move, will you be sitting in the same place a year from now, wishing you had jumped on the opportunity?

Visualization is incredibly useful, so trust your intuition based on where you imagine yourself once a decision has been made. 

5. Ask Your Peers for Feedback

As with everything in life, communication is key when it comes to making decisions. 

Science backs this up! According to a study published in Psychological Science, feedback from peers has a positive influence when it comes to decision-making. 

Psychologists found that although participants were provided with the same descriptive information, their decision responses differed depending on whether or not they received feedback.

Whether you decide to take their advice on board or not, seeking feedback from others provides you with multiple perspectives, and invites you to think outside the box.

6. Learn and Research (Within a Time Limit)

Making a decision begins with knowing what you want from the process.

Think back to your goals and ensure your decision aligns with your values – this is where your why comes to light. 

What outcome are you looking for? What’s your drive behind this decision? How well does each of your options stack up in terms of meeting those outcomes and fueling that drive?

When you lose sight of the reasons for your decision, you’re less likely to follow through and make the right choice.

The more knowledge you have about a given situation, the better able you are to think decisively and make choices that are most beneficial for you. 

Then, make the best possible decision with the information you have.

7. Consider the Costs and Benefits of Each Option

Ask yourself, “Is this an obstacle or an opportunity?”

A balanced assessment of your options will help you determine which choice will most likely benefit you in the long run. 

Benjamin Franklin’s method is an excellent guideline for an analytical approach to decision-making. Here’s how it goes:

• Create a list of pros and cons of your decision, and give some weight to each. Don’t make the decision immediately, allow some time to pass – Franklin waited three or four days.
• Once you come back to your list, use your fresh perspective to try and list more pros and cons about the decision. 
• When you have a final list, weigh the pros and cons up against each other and use this to guide your decision. 

If an outcome generates more pros than cons, or the pros greatly outweigh the cons, then this is a good indication that you’re on track to making the right decision.

8. Remove Fear from the Equation

Don’t let fear stand in the way of you and success.

Never forget:

According to a study published in Science Direct, when someone feels fear in their decisions, they often avoid making the decision altogether.

The chances of obtaining absolute certainty are almost nonexistent, and, as I mentioned before, indecisiveness is a waste of time and opportunity. 

So venture into the unknown, act with purpose, and let go of any fear holding you back.

9. Select the Best Possible Option

And here we are – decision time!

After working through the above steps, it’s time to make your decision. 

With your goals in mind and your options evaluated, you can now make a decision based on your values and purpose. 

The foundation to making good decisions is knowing who you are and what brings meaning to your life. By understanding these two variables, you can move forward and ensure that any decisions you make actively enrich your life and bring you closer to your goals.

This, in turn, will lead you to the fulfillment you deserve.

If you need help taking a first step in the right direction, I encourage you to check out our online courses. They are not only designed to help you to think deeply about what you want in life, but also the decisions you need to make to get there.

Check out our course today and take control of your life.