Your Ultimate 11 Point Guide To Decision Making | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Your Ultimate 11 Point Guide To Decision Making

Because the choices that we make determine the direction our lives will take.

393
Your Ultimate 11 Point Guide To Decision Making
Pixabay

From trying to figure out what to wear to school, to having to decide which college to attend, we are constantly required to make decisions. Some are of greater importance than others, and they require special attention. Except for the decisions we make subconsciously, we are able to choose how we want to proceed in given situations. Life consists of choices, and those choices can determine which direction our life will take. Thus, to eliminate any regrets and to ensure that we are staying on track with meeting our goals, it is essential that we get in the habit of making well-informed decisions.

Truth is, it is a stressful process, but it doesn’t have to be! Practice these habits next time you are stuck in a dilemma…

1. Know what your values are and stick to them

In situations where you are asked to act against your values, you should probably not proceed. Your beliefs, your morals, and your ethics, are what make you the person you are today. They are part of your identity and they are your guide in life. Protect and cherish the principles you were raised with, and don’t alter them. Decisions that go against your values, often come with regrets.

2. Identify your goals

What are you trying to achieve, and how is each option going to bring you closer to meeting your goals?

3. Take your time, don’t rush it

You might find yourself stuck in a situation so challenging, that you might be tempted to choose an option just so that you get it over with. Or, you might feel pressured to give an answer to someone right away. I too, find myself stuck in these kinds of situations, and I have learned that I am happy only when I take my time to carefully examine each option.

As a result, I have eliminated the words “yes” and “no” from my vocabulary list, and I have replaced them with “I will think about it”. Adopt this technique in your life and you will no longer find yourself in situations where you have agreed on doing something that you secretly don’t want to do.

4. Consider each option carefully

Examine the pros and cons of each alternative. How is each option better than the other? What could be the potential outcome of each decision? Are there any other possibilities, other than the ones presented? Perhaps it’s not all black and white, maybe there is a grey area that you need to explore.

5. Learn from your past

We are humans and we make mistakes; it’s normal. What’s important is that you learn from them. Think of a situation in the past where you did not make the right decision and try to understand what went wrong so that you don’t do it again. Learn why your prior decision-making process failed and adjust your technique accordingly.

6. Don’t make decisions when you’re not yourself

You should never let your emotions make decisions for you. Don’t let the heat of the moment prevent you from thinking clearly and try to resist the urge to do or say things that under ordinary circumstances you would decide against. Simply because you had a bad day at work, that doesn’t mean you should quit. You are overly exhausted, and you are not yourself to make that choice. What you should do instead is try to relax and only look for a solution once you are calm, which brings me to my next point…

7. Take a break

When you find yourself stressed out from overly thinking, you should walk away from the situation and come back to it later. Place the dilemma on hold and go do something that helps you relax. I recommend going for a walk, listening to music, practicing yoga and meditation, and taking a nap. When you come back to the situation on which you need to make a decision, you will be able to make a more informed choice.

8. Say no to social pressure

Don’t make a decision based on what others might say about you. You should choose to do things that make YOU happy and that are in accordance with YOUR values. Don’t let your peers pressure you into doing things because “that’s what is considered cool”. Learn how to stand up for yourself and how to make your own decisions.

9. “Follow your heart, but take your brain with you”

Each of us might have a different interpretation of this famous quote by Alfred Adler, but how I understand it is: going about making a decision that satisfies what your heart desires but staying wise within the option that you choose; think of the consequences of your actions.

10. Have a backup plan

Create a What-If scenario, in case that the path you chose was not what you were expecting it to be. This way you will be prepared, and you will not fall behind on achieving your goals.

11. Lastly, remember: it’s not the end of the world!!!

You thought you made the best choice you could have possibly made, but even then things didn’t turn out how you wanted them to… Don’t let that get to you! You will have plenty of other opportunities to achieve your desired outcome in the future, and you will eventually get it right! Some things happen for a reason, and that could be to teach you something.

Use your experience as a learning opportunity and don’t be too harsh on yourself. You know what they say: sometimes things need to go wrong, in order to go right… It happens! Get up on your feet and try again or try something different. You made a wrong decision, so what? Everything can be fixed because remember: It is never the end of the world!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

189856
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

14687
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

457688
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

26539
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments