How To Make Decision Making Work For You!

Often decisions can seem difficult, and making the correct decision is almost impossible. But I have 1 key tip to make every decision easier, and never wrong. 

We’ve all been there, stuck between a rock and hard place. Do we go to the gym on a Friday night or not? Is a Chinese takeaway on Saturday a good idea or not? Will I be happier in this job or that one? No matter the question, difficult decision making is unavoidable. But what if i were to give you one piece of advice that made every decision the correct one for you.

What is this magical piece of life changing advice? Decide on the goal or outcome and the decisions make themselves. Seriously, that's it. Let me give you an example. I’m currently having dental work done because I want braces. My teeth are bad or crooked but could be better but that's a conversation for a different day. Now I hate the dentist, always have done, and often use the experience I had as a child of knocking my front two teeth out as a reason/excuse. I disliked going to the dentist so much that I stopped going for a number of years, but this year I decided to put my teeth at the top of the list for self improvement and investment this year. 

The decision to write down on my goals list “Get a brace” and then say it out loud in front of my colleagues has immediately freed me from all related difficult decisions. Rather than every question from the dentist being a difficult one “It will cost X, is that okay?” or “ You need X,Y and Z done first. Would you like me to make those appointments?” They become immediately straight forward. All I need to ask myself is this: “Will saying yes get me closer to achieving the desired outcome?” and your answer to this question is your decision to the question. 

Because if that particular decision brings you closer to your desired outcome it can never be wrong for you in that moment.  The cherry on top of the cake happened last week. The dentist says to me “ If you want braces that wisdom tooth is going to have to come out. I can give you some time to think about it and let me know when I see you next week?” Did I need all week to think of the decision? No, I need 10 seconds. Does saying yes get me closer to my desired outcome? Yes. There you go. I have my answer. I asked to extend next week's sessions to allow time to remove the wisdom tooth and 7 days later it was out, and I hadn't spent the week losing sleep over it. 

This can be applied to weight loss goals, financial/saving goals, health goals even relationship goals. Decide on your desired outcome and suddenly the decision to get there picks itself. No fear, worry or outside interference can persuade you otherwise, because the only logical answer is right in front of you. You then just need to act on it.