How do you make big decisions? Do you make them using logic or emotions? We make simple decisions every day: what to wear, what to eat for breakfast, or what to stream on Netflix. But, it is the big decision-making that is tough for many of us. Why is that? Maybe, because one decision can affect many aspects of our lives and the pressure of making the right decisions weighs on us.

There are ways to help ensure you make the best decisions for yourself in any scenario, while it is impossible to get it right all the time.

Big Decision Strategies

Try implementing some of the following strategies in your approach to the decision-making process so you’ll know that you make the best choice for you.

Created in Canva.

1. Trust Yourself

In other words, trust your gut. A good decision-maker will use their body as a compass. Our intuitions are typically far more reliable than we give them credit for. We pick up on cues, details, and small nuances that give us clues about what to do next. It is important that we don’t overlook those cues and inner feelings. Going with what you know is sometimes the best thing you could do.

When you are at a fork in the road, you might feel angst about what path you will take. However, this doesn’t mean that you are making a poor decision. Instead, your emotions are showing you that there is more than one option you can choose from.

Our instincts rarely lead us astray. So learning to trust ourselves and not second guess our decisions is a way to help ensure our decisions are our own.

2. Collect Information

One of the biggest culprits of poor decision-making is a lack of information. Knowledge is power, and that is especially true when you are considering choices.

It is so valuable to take the time needed to get all the pertinent information prior to deciding. Gather information from a variety of sources so that you can examine the matter from all angles.

You should also analyze sources for potential bias so that the information is objective and free from outside bias or influence. The more you know, the better equipped you will be to make a well-informed decision.

Related Reading: 7 Steps to Improve Your Time Management

3. Use Independent Thinking

It is important that we make choices by ourselves. This means being aware of potential outside influences and taking measures to separate ourselves from those influences so that we can think for ourselves. Consider what opinions from others you hold that might influence your decision making.

Take some time to assess how the media or pop culture might shape your thoughts/views. Then take time to weed out those influences so you can approach matters with objectivity. This will enhance your independent thinking skills and ensure the conclusion you draw is truly that of your own.

4. Don’t Be Afraid of Failure

Fear of failure often paralyzes us and keeps us from making the decisions that need to be made. In truth, there is never a 100% guarantee that a decision made will be the right one. However, failure to decide will almost certainly lead to negative results. Instead of fearing failure, we should learn to embrace it.

Though we would all prefer a successful outcome, failures provide a unique opportunity to learn and grow. Therefore, we can decide with confidence, knowing that the decisions we make will either succeed or provide us with a useful learning experience that we can apply at a later time. Either way, we still gain from the situation, so we should be able to act on the decisions we make rather than allowing fear and anxiety to keep us inactive.

5. Delay Your Decision

If possible, try delaying the decision when you are feeling overwhelmed. Wait until you feel you can decide from a logical viewpoint instead of an emotional one. Emotions always cloud our thinking.

Just beware that delaying the decision may have consequences, such as putting off the chance to make a change.

Related Reading: 7 Easy Time Management Tips for Writers

Decision-making is an important part of the writing process, as it can help you determine the direction of your writing and ensure that you are effectively communicating your ideas. Here are some tips for making big decisions as a writer.

Identify your goals: Clearly defining what you want to accomplish with your writing will help you make decisions that align with your objectives.

Consider your audience: Who will read your writing? Think about what they might be interested in and how you can best communicate with them.

Research: Do research about your topic to get a better understanding of different perspectives on the subject.

Weigh the pros and cons: Make a list of the potential benefits and drawbacks of different approaches to your writing. This can help you make a more informed decision.

Follow Your Vision: Don’t be afraid to follow your own ideas and vision for your writing.

Seek feedback: Ask others for their opinions and advice on your writing decisions. This can help you gain a fresh perspective and make more informed choices.

Last Words on Big Decisions

By using the outlined strategies, you can be more confident when you make choices. These steps will help you think independently, be informed, and feel empowered enough to move forward.

Nine times out of ten, you will end up making the best decision, and if the decision made is not the right one, you will have gained valuable knowledge that will help you move forward.

Take Care

Linda

Feature photo by Pete Linforth from Pixabay.