1. Define your goal. What are you trying to achieve?
2. Gather information. The more you know about your options, the better equipped you’ll be to make a decision.
3. Consider the pros and cons of each option.
4. Make your decision and take action.
5. Evaluate the results. Did things turn out how you wanted? If not, why not? What could you have done differently?
Introduction
≈7 minutes to read
There is no one perfect way to make the right decision every time. However, by following a simple process and taking into account all of the relevant factors, you can stack the odds in your favor:
Get clarity on the subject
Before making a good decision, you need to know what you want.
- Set goals for yourself
- Get clear on what you want
- Write down your goals
- Prioritize your goals
- Be realistic about what you can achieve (and what’s reasonable) as well as how far apart different goals are in terms of time and effort required to achieve them; this will help keep your expectations realistic and ensure that you’re moving towards the right thing at the right pace for yourself
Figure out what you’re afraid of.
One of the most common reasons people don’t make a move is because they’re afraid of something that could go wrong. Maybe you’re afraid of losing your job, or you’re worried about getting married and making a mistake. Understanding what’s holding you back from taking action will help you decide whether or not to take action.
So how do we figure out what we’re afraid of? Ask yourself these questions: What do I want more than anything else? What would happen if I didn’t get it? Why do I want this so much? How am I different from others who have gotten what I wanted before me?
Once you’ve answered those questions, ask yourself why those things scare you. Are there concrete reasons for those things going wrong (like losing your job), or are they just vague fears based on past experiences (like getting bullied)?
Be clear about what will change if you make a move.
Once you’ve identified a potential move, take some time to think about what will change if you make it. Of course, the most noticeable changes come from moving to a new place or starting a new job, but others may be less apparent.
For example, what kind of relationships might change if you decide to leave your hometown and go to college in another city? Do your friends live close by? Will they visit often? If not, can they stay in touch through social media or technology like Skype calls? Do they have children who could still play together even though the adults themselves won’t have as much time for playtime because of work commitments and schoolwork?
Think about how much time it will take.
Time is the most valuable thing you have. Unfortunately, it’s limited, and you can’t get it back once it’s gone. If you’re making a big decision, consider how much time it will take to implement your plan and whether it will require a lot of time and effort. When considering something new or different, whether it involves buying something or taking on another project at work, ask yourself: What will happen if I don’t do this? How much do I really want this?
Reflect on the impact
Now that you’ve made the decision, it’s essential to consider how it will affect those around you. You can’t always talk with the people in your life before making a big choice—but if there is any way to do so, take advantage of it. Whether or not they support your decision, make sure they understand why you’re making this choice and how it affects them.
If people may be hurt by your decision or worried about what will happen next for them (like family members), then an honest conversation will help them feel more secure about what’s going on in their lives. Even if the outcome isn’t ideal for everyone involved, talking through the process can ease some of those concerns and give everyone peace about where things are headed next.
Consider the “worst case” scenario for making this move.
One of the most important things you can do when making a big decision is to consider the “worst-case scenario.” What will happen if things don’t go your way? What’s the worst thing that could happen? How would you cope with it?
For example, let’s say that in a week, you are going to have surgery. One of the first things people will tell you is: “Don’t worry about anything! You’ll be fine.” While it’s true that not worrying about something can help reduce your stress level and make for an easier recovery process, it doesn’t mean there aren’t some things you should think about ahead of time.
Make decisions based on your values and what is most important for your well-being.
There are many ways to make good decisions. One way is to consider your values and what is most important for your well-being.
For example, if you value health, then you might decide to eat more vegetables and exercise regularly. Another example might be that if you value family time, you could schedule time with your family on weekends or evenings to spend more time together.
It’s important to make decisions based on what is best for yourself—not what others want from or expect of you!
Conclusion
Life is full of decisions, but we want to make sure you’re making the good ones! The best way to do this is by figuring out what matters most to you and how you can use your values as a guiding light when making decisions. That’s why we hope this blog post has provided you with some valuable tips on approaching decision-making and even helped you think about things in a different light.
If there’s one thing we want everyone to take away from this article, it would be the importance of clarity: know exactly what will change if you make a move or not before making any decisions.