How to Make Wise Decisions

It's a common thing for people to swing back and forth between the different choices they have to make. And it doen't matter if these choices are related to career, money, business, opportunities, or even relationships. It still confuses you on which choice is the best one for you.

Sometimes you have no trouble determining which is the best choice, but there are other times when they all seem to have possibility, and the choices are endless.

However, there is some good news when it comes to making wise decisions. It just a matter of weighing the pros and cons of all the available outcomes. Below is an easy 3-step process that you can use to help you make wise decisions - regardless what part of your life they may affect.

Think About What You Stand To Gain

When you've got more than one option to choose from, think about what you stand to gain from choosing it. If the rewards are big, it might be worth it to withstand a bit of risk in order to benefit from the opportunity. However, if the payoff is going to be small, you might not want to risk taking a chance right now.

Determine What You May Lose

Next, determine what you stand to lose if this option doesn't work out. No one wants to think of anything negative being in a potential opportunity, but you could save yourself a lot of heartache by using a bit of foresight! If it looks like your losses are going to be huge with a certain option, you might decide to hold off until your odds improve.

Think About The Worst Thing That Could Happen

Finally, go one step further and think about the worst thing that could happen if you choose this option. Are you willing to accept those consequences? It may seem like you're being pessimistic, but it's really effective at clarifying the situation! If you're hesitant about dealing with the consequences of making such a choice, then you know immediately that it's not the right choice for you at this time. If, on the other hand, the consequences won't be so bad, you'll know it’s an option you can live with.

Now, what do you do if all your options and consequences hold equal potential for rewards and consequences? Go with your instincts! Take a few minutes and think carefully about each possibility - then choose the one you feel strongest about.

When it comes right down to it, there really aren't any guarantees in decision-making. You simply weigh the pros and cons...listen to your intuition, and do the best you can. In the end, there really isn’t any such thing as a "bad" decision, because you do learn something from each one you make. If you keep that in mind you should grow more confident with each choice you make, which will help you make even better decisions in the future.

A Decision Making Process To Try
By Steven Gillman

Have you ever had a hard time making a decision? Why not try the following seven step decision making process the next time you need to make up your mind about something important - and take notes!

Step 1. Consider your immediate intuitive feelings.

Take a few notes about your immediate "gut reaction." For example, if you're not sure whether to take a particular job, ask the question, "Should I take this job?" Jot down whatever comes to mind and how you feel about it.

Step 2. Analyze the sources of your intuition.

Even the most intuitive people can't trust their intuition every time. At its best, intuition is the use of all the unconscious information and experience you have inside your head. At its worst, it's just feelings based on faulty thinking, fear, or greed. Look for these other motivations before relying too heavily on intuition. You want the intuition that is simply an efficient use of your unconscious resources.

With or without any intuition, you should always gather information before making a decision. Take notes. Even for a decision like where to go for vacation, you can write down the costs of the various choices, and what things you'll be able to do at each destination.

Step 4. Look at the pros and cons of each possibility.

What is good about each possible choice, and what is not so good? Write these things down. For any uncertainties, good or bad, write a note about whether the risk or possible reward is "not very likely," "likely," or "very likely."

Step 5. Consider worst and best cases for each course of action.

For each possible choice, consider the worst that could happen, and the best that could happen. Which is more likely? How do the various options appear when considered this way?

Step 6. Revisit the options with your intuition.

Review the information you have gathered, and everything else that you have considered. Then make a few notes about how you think and feel about your choices now. This is an important next-to-last step in the decision making process.

Step 7. Make a decision and act immediately, then adjust course if necessary.

It's okay to be slow about gathering and analyzing information. But after your second intuitive assessment it's best to make a decision quickly. Any decision making process should lead inexorably to a decision, or else you are actually training yourself to be indecisive - which isn't very useful, and can be very stressful.

When a decision is made, you should also act immediately, even if this just means taking some small step. If you decide to write a book, for example, you should turn on the computer and write the first line, or put the pen and paper on the desk as soon as you decide. Such immediate action trains your mind to treat your decisions as meaningful, and not just wishful thinking, and it is an important part of the whole decision making process.

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