Decision-making can be stressful and time consuming. On a daily basis we face so many decisions from how to structure our day, what to eat for lunch, and whether we should apply for another job. At times, when faced with a difficult decision, we may randomly choose, spend days trying to figure out the best option, or procrastinate and hope the decision is made on it’s own. Our emotions are linked to our decisions. Emotions can cloud our judgment and make it seem almost impossible to make the “right” or “best” choice. How can we make decisions for ourselves? Here are some tips to use that may help in separating emotions from the decision-making process so that decision-making is a bit more manageable (though choosing lunch is always a hard one!).
Consider the goal.
What is it that you really want? Consider the problem and what the desired outcome looks like for you. Decisions tend to be more difficult to make when they are based on the wrong problem. Stick to your personal values and beliefs, challenge assumptions you may have about certain choices.
What would you tell a friend?
This tip allows you to step away from personal emotions and beliefs, looking at a decision more objectively. Consider what you would say to a friend about this decision. Write a pros and cons list and help your friend prioritize these. When we step away from emotions we often become aware of a third option we did not see at first; this may allow us to test a new idea or consider a new choice.
Limit your research.
Too much information is not helpful, in fact it can overwhelm us at times. Educate yourself but do not overwhelm yourself. After we try to convince ourselves of certain things based on information we receive however, this can cause us to convince ourselves of things that may not be as important as they feel, simply because we spent so much time researching them.
Use time limits.
Hasty decisions when stressed or upset will often not lead to a positive outcome. Know your limits, gather the information you need, and allow yourself to consider a decision for a certain amount of time. Maybe even take some time away from a decision and then come back to it later on.
There is no such thing as a “right” or “best” decision.
What works for you may not work for someone else and a decision may be right in one moment but not in the next. A decision or an idea can also be “good enough” for you even if it is not the “best”. Most decisions will not result in life or death circumstances and many decisions can be reversed or changed in the future.
Believe in yourself and go for it! After a decision, consider how you feel and what did or did not work for you in that situation so that you can improve on the decision or alter the decision in the future.