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How To Make A Decision
By Polly Hamilton
Making an important decision can be a difficult task. There is often a lot at stake, and you can be distracted by other people throwing in
their own opinions. There are three important things to do when you make an important decision: make a list of pros and cons for each
option or outcome; ask the people around you whose opinions you usually respect; take time to think about it.
Make a list: Write up a piece of paper with two columns, if you write all this down it will make a lot more sense in your head. Head up the
columns Pros and Cons. Then think of one of the decisions you might come to, or outcomes from that decision. For example, if you have to
decide to take an important job in another city, or stay near you family. If you are thinking about the decision to stay, write down all
the good things, and all the bad things, about that decision. You'll be close to your family if there's an emergency, but you might not get
along with certain members, that sort of thing. Then do the same for taking the job and moving to another city. At the end of this
'exercise' it will be a lot clearer to you which option has the most positive outcomes. It is sometimes helpful to put this list away in a
drawer and do it again a few days later. Then you can compare lists and see if you're subconsciously leaning towards a decision.
Talk about it: Talking about which decision to make is essential. If the decision involves your friends, ask them what they think, or if it
involves your partner ask your partner. It is also considerate to ask these people what they think as their maybe certain choices you might make which affect them negatively. There may also be people who won't
be affected by your decision, but whose opinion you respect. An old teacher or your favorite aunt may provide insight to your problem.
You'll notice that you come away from these conversations with certain statements floating in your head that you think are important. You
will also have new Pros and Cons to add to your lists.
Make time: Often when it comes to an important decision there is not much time to think it through thoroughly. However if you do have the time, use it wisely. Don't avoid thinking about your decision because
you know it's a hard one to make, you'll only end up making the wrong decision. Having said that, don't stress about a decision, or think about a decision that isn't really that important. Taking ten minutes to choose which brand of tomato sauce to buy is excessive, and so is not being able to sleep because you can't decide whether to sell your
house or not. You should be able to give yourself time and space to consider all aspects of the decision that you are making, as long as
it is an important one!
So remember: when you are stressing about how you should make an important decision take a deep breath, relax and take these three
steps. You'll be surprised at how often the answer ends up being blatantly obvious. You'll feel like you should have realized from the
start!
See Also:
More info on how to make decisions
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