3 Tips To Help You Make The Best Decision (When You Don’t Know What To Do)

Part of Avery Blank's series of Forbes?articles.

It can be stressful to feel like you have to make the “right” decision and be told to “follow your gut” if you don’t know how to do it. Decision making can be hard when you don’t know what to do or you have many options from which to choose. Here are three things to help you make the best decision:

1.?????Write down the pros and cons to visualize and evaluate.

List what you like and dislike about each potential direction you could take. Writing forces you to think about and isolate each instance for evaluation. Visualizing your options can also help you organize your thoughts and feel more in control of your thinking. Creating criteria you think are important to the decision in the first column and then pros and cons in the next two columns can help.

2.?????Get advice from another person.

Making a decision doesn’t have to be a solo activity. You can tap into other people’s minds and perspective.

If the topic is something you feel comfortable sharing, reach out to a trusted colleague, friend or family member. If the person has your best interest in mind, they may be able to help you make an important decision. They may be able to see an aspect that you missed. Their experience may provide insight into what might happen if you choose a particular route. Use the input from others to help you make the best decision for yourself.

3.?????Accept that there may not be a right decision, and respect your decision.

After conducting your own evaluation and seeking advice from others, you will have a better sense of what decision you should make. Still, there may be instances in which you are still torn or wrestling with two options.

This is where your gut comes in. After you have conducted all the logical analysis and reasoning, use your feelings to guide you.

Give yourself a deadline to make a decision. Once that deadline arrives, make the decision and allow yourself to feel at peace. Trust yourself. Respect yourself. Love yourself. Life is about doing the best you can, and that is all you can ask of yourself.

Decision-making is not always easy. Take a measured approach to help you feel comfortable. Identify and evaluate the advantages and disadvantages, seek another person’s perspective and be at peace with your judgment.

What techniques help you to make the best decision for yourself? Share with me your stories and thoughts in the comments section below.