Last Updated: June 4, 2020 References Approved
This article was co-authored by Trudi Griffin, LPC, MS. Trudi Griffin is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Wisconsin specializing in Addictions and Mental Health. She provides therapy to people who struggle with addictions, mental health, and trauma in community health settings and private practice. She received her MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marquette University in 2011.
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We make decisions every day; everything we say and do is the result of a decision, whether we make it consciously or not. For every choice, big or small, there’s no easy formula for making the right decision. The best you can do is to approach it from as many perspectives as possible and then choose a course of action that seems reasonable and balanced at that time. If you have a big decision to make, it can seem daunting. But there are some simple things you can do to make it less intimidating, such as identifying the worst case scenario, making a spreadsheet, and following your gut instinct. Keep reading to learn more about how to make decisions.
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If You’re a Poll-Taker
Should you wear the silver dress or the red dress to that black-tie industry event? You call your sister. Your best friend. Then a coworker. (What’s she wearing?) An hour later, you’re still staring blankly at your closet.
- Consider why you don’t trust yourself. Is it because you’ve made some bad choices? (Who hasn’t?) Because you don’t want to be liable for a decision? You’ll have to live with its outcome, so it’s crucial to determine what you want.
- Imagine yourself in scenarios based on different decisions. Gauge the most comfortable. (How would you feel in the red dress? What about the silver one?) Then choose. Keep in mind that if you make a mistake, it may not really matter. (Other people will be overdressed, too.)
- If you’re facing a weighty issue that truly calls for advice, seek out a neutral expert―a marriage counselor, a financial adviser, a career coach―rather than polling friends who have biases. Ask for factors to consider, then come up with the answer yourself.
