Four questions I ask when making big decisions

Making big decisions is hard.?

There are a heap of factors to consider and often a time limit that adds pressure. We can feel paralysed by what could go wrong if we make a bad choice, and we can get overwhelmed if we have too many decisions on our plates. No matter how important a choice is, we still have to think about all the other smaller decisions we face every day (that’s 35,000 if you’re curious).?

From the moment we wake up to the time we go to sleep, our brain makes decisions that shape our actions and define our paths in life. If we aren’t making good decisions how will that impact us, and if we could improve our decision-making what effect would that have on our lives and our businesses?

Today I want to share the four questions I ask myself when making big decisions.

They help me look past conflicting desires and responsibilities to see what choice is best for me. I’ll also share a difficult choice I was faced with at the end of last year and walk you through how each of the questions helped me.

The Choice I Faced: Near the end of last year, I was faced with a difficult decision. I had a lot of great opportunities come my way that would have included overseas travel in 2024. It would have been about eight weeks in total to multiple destinations, which sounds amazing but I was conflicted.?

The reason I was conflicted was due to the fact that in 2023 I did a lot of big trips for work. They were incredible, but after every trip, I would then fall ill and be wiped out for 2 weeks afterwards.

My immune system was obviously still struggling from my prior bout of glandular fever, and the overseas travel would always send it into a downward spiral. There were a lot of factors to consider and it was overwhelming but I came up with four questions to cut through the noise and make a choice that felt right.?

Rather than considering absolutely everything, I narrowed my focus to the things that were most important to me. I know they’ll do the same for you whenever you’re making big decisions.?

The Four Questions:

Question One: Do I want to do it? This might seem simple, but I think it’s a crucial step as you can often fool yourself into thinking you want something you actually don’t. I find journalling is incredibly helpful for working through this.

Question Two: Is it good for me? Decisions can have consequences that aren’t immediately apparent. Before making big decisions, make sure you take the time to think through your course of action and what positive/negative effects it could have.

Question Three: Is it good for my family? Even if a decision is great for you, it can affect the people around you negatively. I need to consider how things will affect my three children and my husband. Is it a good choice for us? Is it even feasible for us?

Question Four: What does my gut say? Too often in business, I’ve made choices based on logic that go against how my gut feels. These seem like great decisions at the time but sometimes they cause a lot of trouble I could have avoided if I’d listened to my gut. ?

My Decision: Ultimately, I made the difficult decision to impose a travel ban on myself for the year ahead. These four questions helped me prioritise my health, energy, and family despite the incredibly tempting opportunities. It was a tough decision to make but it brought me a sense of peace as soon as I had made it.

In the end, decision-making is not just about making choices; it's about understanding yourself, aligning with your values, and nurturing your well-being. So, the next time you're faced with a tough decision, make sure you take the time to understand how you feel and don’t forget to listen to your gut!

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For a copy of Emma's book, 'Go-getter: Raise your mojo, shift your mindset and thrive' – https://www.emmamcqueen.com.au/book/