5 Steps to Make Better Career Decisions

"Analyzing what you haven't got as well as what you have is a necessary ingredient of a career." - Grace Moore

Finding your own life path involves deep understanding of the subject and decision making at every moment of the life. Sometimes those decisions are small & insignificant, and sometimes those decisions are life changing. At the end of the day or year, or at the end of entire life it’s all defined by the quality of decision making and the actions that you take along the way.

There’s definitely immense power in decision making and creating your own life; even when one is not completely sure of the right path. The challenge is that many people have a “deer in the headlights” moment when faced with decisions and to certain extent, most people suffer from decision paralysis at some point in time.

During the course of our entire lives, there will always be moments when we are faced with making big decisions from choosing right stream to right college or university, taking a specific program, to sticking to the same job for the rest of our career or to become an entrepreneur.

Since decision making isn’t easy we tend to delay the process or at times avoid making any decisions, and it stems from our propensity to choose inaction over action.

Though the circumstances for all of vary and decision making is an absolutely personal matter keeping your preferences, skills and ecosystem in consideration; there are certain tips which can be helpful in the process.

1. Collect data and analyze it methodically

Though it’s usual to follow the peers and it’s tempting to throw caution to the wind and just go with your instincts or feelings when it comes to your career decisions, it’s always better to gather as much data as you can before you start to make any decision.

For instance, if you have been working in a company for 4-5 years, but a new opportunity suddenly lands on your lap alluring you in with a slew of improbable benefits like oversea travelling. But before you say goodbye to your old employer, take the time to look into objectively on what’s being offered.

The probabilities of anything to be too good to be true are rare.

2. Visualize your future self

Visualizing your future self in terms of what will you feel playing that future role and by putting yourself in the future rather than in the present, you can have a better understanding of how your decision will impact your long term goals.

You need to visualize and find answers to questions like –

What will your career be like in 5 years?',

'How is this choice going to affect my long-term goals?' and

'What sort of learning I am going to have?'

Regardless of how exciting the offer may sound, if it has no room for learning and development then it’s probably best to weigh your options further

3. Think through all the aspects

When we’re stressed or under pressure to decide, our brain has a tough time looking for new information to solve the problem.

Our mind tends to dismiss the new information as it makes it even more difficult to process that and hence the natural inclination of mind is to hold on to available information only.

For a better decision, it’s essential to consider all your options before drawing any conclusion. In case the new opportunity expects you to get relocated into new city, it makes complete sense to research about that city.

Ignoring the information or facts would help you reach a decision faster for sure, but that’s not the only objective you have.

4. Don’t wait for Signals

Don’t wait for signals from the world around you to act.

Waiting for a particular behaviors from your manager or client, that triggers you to think and plan towards learning new things is not going to help in long run.

Being proactive about your learning and development is going to give you sustainable growth and the confidence to face the uncertainties of life.

5. Take help from experts

In case of anxiety, which is obvious response from the body & mind when you are contemplating making key decisions, you should take help.

You can reach out to experts or reliable person in your network, who can be helpful in such situations.

You need to come out of the anxiety in order to make sound choice, because while feeling anxious, your mind tends to play out worst-case scenarios and anticipating positive outcomes won’t help either in some cases

And last but not least, exercise patience.

Everything takes time and you should take yours.

Whilst you are trying to make big decisions, it often feels like time is against you; and everybody needs response at the earliest.

Given all that’s at stake when making a decision, a lingering timeline is the last thing you want.

Still, don’t let the pressures of the outside world affect you. Critical decisions shouldn’t happen without careful consideration. You should take your time and If you need more time to think, ask for it. A big career decision will impact you for the rest of your life, so you must give it as much time it needs to think.

Deciding on your career is always tough and undefined. You’ll never know the consequence of your choices until you take that leap. But if you’ve done your study, and have discussed with the people who matter the most. What’s significant is to keep marching towards your goals, confidently knowing that the decisions you made will take you there.