We’re all faced with numerous decisions to make every day, some more important than others.

Sometimes we have to decide on something that we know could have significant impact our lives.

Indecisiveness can be caused by several factors, from a fear of failure and lack of information to conditions such as depression, and ADHD.

Fortunately, there are a few steps we can take to get better at making decisions.

Let’s discuss how to make better decisions.

How To Make Better Decisions

Why Are Poor Decisions Made?

Many of our bad decisions occur because they feel comfortable and automatic.

Our emotions may steer us incorrectly, and our perception of time is inaccurate and skewed towards the present.  Our internal sense of status can also colour how we view other people and ourselves.

How Does Psychology Help Decision-Making?

Emotions can also help the decision-making process.  Decision-making often occurs in the face of uncertainty about whether our choices will lead to positive feelings and benefits, or negative feelings and harm.

Why Can’t I Decide What I Want?

Often the reason for indecision is fear.

Whether we fear failure, the unknown, conflict, or something else, fear not only stops us from making good decisions, but can stop us from deciding anything at all.

How Do You Make Decisions Effectively?

• You realize that you need to make a decision.
• Gather all relevant information.
• Identify the alternatives.
• Weigh the evidence.
• Choose among alternatives.
• Take action.
• Review your decision and its consequences.

Effective Decision-Making Tips

• Imagine yourself a year into the future.
• Write down and consider your goals.
• Identify the alternatives.
• Figure out what you may not know.
• Step away from the situation.
• Face your past mistakes.
• Seek out feedback from friends, family, or mentors.
• Consider both the long-term and short-term consequences.

Other Good Advice For Decision-Making

• Decide when and how the decision gets made.
• Resist the temptation to delay the decision.
• Don’t fear any critics.

What Are Some Reasons Why Decisions Are Difficult?

Some of the common factors that make it harder to make decisions are complexity, uncertainty, potential consequences, and a lack of self-confidence.

What Trauma Causes Indecisiveness?

Many struggling with conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or complex PTSD often find their decision-making alters after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. This is related to how we make decisions based on emotion rather than logic.

How Do I Overcome Decision Anxiety?

• Avoid choice overload.
• Avoid perfectionism.
• Don’t think about worst-case scenarios. 
• Make a list of pros and cons. 
• Learn to be ok with some uncertainty.

Final Thoughts

Good decision-making hasn’t historically been my strongest skill. 

Like most, I feel like I’ve made a few bad choices in life, or simply avoided them altogether like staying at a job I wasn’t thrilled with for fear of the unknown. 

One way to build up our confidence is to regularly practice balancing the risks and potential impacts of each decision we make.

Our assessment of risk will dictate whether we should take a more or less cautious approach.

By proactively evaluating our decisions, we’ll find ourselves able to make better decisions, and potentially faster than we’ve ever done before.

Please comment or follow the links, thanks for reading.

Sources and other reading:

How To Make Better Life Decisions

Letting Go Of The Past

How To Be More Confident

Coping With A Job You Dislike

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