How to Make Decisions

Making decisions can be intimidating and time-consuming. And while there's no easy way to just make them, the following tips can help you in that direction.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Paper And Pencils

1. Mark out the parameters of the decision clearly: What choices do you have? Are there more than two?

2. Gather as much information as you can about each alternative - talk to the appropriate people, solicit advice from friends and family, and research by reading books and magazine or newspaper articles.

3. Get the experience that will help you make an informed decision. For example, if you're trying to decide whether to become a doctor or not, first volunteer at a hospital or clinic.

4. Jot down a list of pros and cons for each decision. Prioritize which considerations are very important to you, and which are less so.

5. Recognize that there are no right reasons for making a particular decision. The fact that a particular path is important to you, regardless of what others think, legitimizes it.

6. Think honestly about any fears, motives or biases guiding your thinking. Recognize them for what they are.

7. Brainstorm alternatives. Can you synthesize the available alternatives into a compromise that maximizes the pros and minimizes the cons? Look for ways to have your cake and eat it too.

8. Put an end to collecting information about your decision. Avoid thinking that with just a little more time and information, you'll be able to make the one perfect decision. Remember that no decision is perfect and that all choices are made in a condition of some uncertainty.

9. Recognize that you might learn things in hindsight that would have changed your decision had you known about them earlier. This thought is normal, and should not be allowed to stall your decision making.

10. Make the decision.

Tips & Warnings

• Critically evaluate your decision from time to time - if you don't like how things are progressing, try something else.
• If all else fails, try going with your gut feeling.
• Keep one eye on the clock; avoid endless delays in making a decision for fear that you don't know enough or will make the wrong choice.

on 12/28/2005 Make a pros and cons list with everything on it, whether it's a good reason or not. If it effects you the slightest bit, for or against a certain choice, it should be on the list! Now, rate every item on each list by importance to you 1 through 10. Again, be honest! Acknowledge what is really important to you, not what should be important. Add up both lists and see which scores higher. I know it sounds cheesy, but it gives you another perspective on the decision and might just sway you one way or another.

on 8/6/2007 Maturity comes with making difficult decisions. Therefore, the more choices you make in life the easier it will be. Also, don't let others make your decisions for you. If you do, you risk being controlled by someone who knows less about your problems than you do.

on 11/22/2005 Remember that above all else, the choice is yours. Listen to the opinions of others but take them with a grain of salt. There are all kinds of biases and motives affecting them that may not be affecting you. Listen to what you want and remember that it is your decision.

on 11/22/2005 Project yourself 6 months or a year into the future and then look backwards at the decision you made. Decide which decision looks best from there.

on 2/12/2007 If you made a desision, go with it. Don't change your mind every time somebody says something that makes you unsure.