In life, there are many decisions to make. But in order to be successful and live a fulfilling life, it is important that you make the right choices. This isn’t an easy task, but there are steps you can take to be decisive and stand by your decisions.
This blog post will provide 18 ways to help you become more decisive so that you are living your best possible life.
1. Make a list of pros and cons
This is a great decision-making tactic to use for many different situations in life. By listing the facts and then your personal preferences, you can easily see what will be most beneficial for you.
For example, if you are trying to choose between two careers or two roommates, list the positive aspects of each situation as well as any negative aspects.
2. Ask yourself what matters most to you
When you are trying to make a decision, it’s important to take into consideration what is most important to you. This may not be easy at first and will likely require some thought, but it will help you decide on the best course of action for your life.
When deciding between careers or roommates, think about which options align with your values and what you care about most.
3. Give it time or sleep on it
We all know that making decisions requires a lot of thought and consideration.
Whether you are trying to decide what career path to take or which potential roommate can be trusted, it’s important to give yourself enough time to think about your options.
4. Ask for advice from people who have experience in the decision you are making
If you are making a big decision, it can be helpful to ask people for advice that have experience in the topic.
For example, if you are trying to decide between two careers, asking an expert in both fields will help you gain valuable insight and perspective.
5. Consider all options but know when to stop
It’s important to consider all of your options, but there comes a time when it is no longer beneficial to continue searching for more information.
For example, if you are trying to decide between two different colleges or careers, it’s okay to do research and speak with professionals from each field – but don’t let this process go on indefinitely.
6. Learn from previous experience
Your past is full of examples that can help you make better decisions in the future. If there have been situations where you made a poor decision, ask yourself why it happened and what you could do differently next time.
By thinking about these situations, you will be able to recognize your own mistakes and take steps to avoid them when making new decisions.
7. Remember that we’re not always rational
Sometimes we make decisions based on emotions rather than logic. If you’re having trouble making a decision, it may help to remind yourself that it doesn’t have to be perfect.
Sometimes the right choice for you today could change tomorrow and that’s okay!
8. Reach out to others for advice or input
Sometimes getting a second opinion can help make the decision-making process easier. It’s important to remember that what is right for one person may not be the best fit for another.
If you are struggling with your choice, it’s okay to ask someone else for their opinion or advice!
9. Have an open mind
Just because you have the first preference, it doesn’t mean that your second choice has to be the worst option.
If you keep an open mind and follow through with what you think is the best course of action, but end up having regrets or feeling like you made the wrong decision in time, remember that there are other options available.
10. Consider other perspectives
If you have an opportunity to make a decision that will impact others in a good or bad way, take some time to think about how they may feel.
This can help you come up with options that will not only benefit you but also the people involved. Realize that each decision is going to affect someone and it’s okay for your preferences to take a backseat sometimes.
11. Be aware of how much information you have
Being aware of the amount of information you have can help make better decisions. For example, if someone is trying to decide between two different colleges, they might search for both schools online and find out about their admissions requirements, cost, reputation etc.
The more information that is available, the easier it will be to compare the options and pick which one is best.
12. Talk about it with someone you trust
If you are having trouble making a decision or know that you need help in the process, talk to someone else about it.
Sometimes getting another person’s point of view can help make the choice clearer to see and can also reduce stress levels.
13. Know your options
It is important to know what potential decisions could be made to avoid regret in the future, but also to help make a decision more easily.
If you know that going to school in New York is an option, it can be easier to choose whether or not you want to go there instead of trying to decide between choosing a different college and staying at your current one.
14. Consider how your decision reflects on you
It is important to consider how your decision will affect you as a person, not just the outcome of the situation.
It might be helpful to think about how someone else would view your decision and whether or not they would approve.
15. Understand that you can make changes along the way
It’s important to understand that there are ways to change a decision once it has been made, especially if you realize it was not the best choice for yourself after all.
If you have already graduated from college and realize that your major or school was a poor choice, don’t feel stuck or like you have to finish it.
Talk to your advisor about the possibility of switching majors or transferring colleges if you are no longer satisfied with what you started out with.
16. Listen to others, but make the final decision yourself
It’s important not to let too much outside influence take over your decision-making process, but it’s also okay to get an occasional second opinion.
Before making a final decision, gather as much information as you can and think about what is going to be the best choice for yourself.
17. Don’t make choices while in a stressful situation
If you’re feeling pressured or stressed out by a certain event that may impact your future, hold off on making any final decisions until you have a clear head.
The last thing you need is to make a decision while you are stressed over something else and regret it later because of your emotions.
18. Make sure that the choices keep going well beyond that moment
It’s important to think about how long-lasting your decision will be.
If you are applying to college and choose a school because of its proximity to home, you might want to reconsider if that was the best option for you, especially if your long-term goals involve not being close to home.
Final Thoughts
Being decisive is an important skill to have in life. Of course, it takes practice and some work to get there, but we’ve compiled 18 ways you can start today.
Give these a try and see what happens when your decisions become more confident than ever before. We hope this list helps you with making the right call on things that are important to you.