Write It Down: The Simple Trick That Makes Decisions Clearer

I’ve always been a big fan of pros and cons lists. When I’m faced with a decision—whether it’s about work, life, or even something small—I find that letting it swirl around in my head only gets me so far. It feels like I’m making progress, but really, I’m just going in circles.

And that’s why my best piece of advice for anyone stuck in decision limbo is this: write it down.

Not just the obvious stuff, not just what’s already at the front of your mind, but everything. Because there have been so many times in my life where I’ve sat down, put pen to paper, and suddenly realised there was more. More to think about, more layers to the decision, more things influencing me than I initially recognised. And it’s only when I physically see it all laid out that the answer starts to take shape.

It doesn’t have to be neat. It doesn’t even have to be a structured pros and cons list. Sometimes, it’s just a messy brain dump—everything that’s rattling around in your head, dumped onto the page. And the magic of it? Once it’s out of your head, it stops feeling so tangled. You start seeing patterns, spotting things that really matter, and realising which thoughts were just noise.

This applies to so many decisions—should I take that job? Should I stay where I am? Should I go for that interview? Rather than letting the same questions bounce around your brain, take five minutes, grab a piece of paper (or your notes app if you prefer), and just get it all out.

Then, step back, look at it, and see what stands out. Nine times out of ten, you’ll find the clarity you’ve been looking for.