Every day, we’re required to make many decisions. Some are simple, some complex; some are insignificant, some life-changing; some have a temporary effect, some a permanent one; some have an immediate effect, some take years to have an effect…
Your life is being shaped by the decisions you make. If you’re like most people, you want to make decisions you can be proud of.
To a great extent, the current state of your life is a result of your past decisions: each decision added a piece to the puzzle of your life.
The decisions you’re making today are shaping your tomorrow. If you’re unhappy about the current state of your life, you have the ability to change it by making better decisions — decisions that will lead you in a new direction, a more satisfying and gratifying direction.
Making good decisions can be challenging. Because decisions have consequences, learning to make good decisions is a must.
To improve your decision making, you must first decide to:
- Take ownership of your decisions. Acknowledge that you’re responsible for the decisions you make. You shouldn’t delegate this responsibility. Don’t expect others to make your decisions for you. Understand that you’re ultimately responsible for managing your life, and therefore for the decisions you make.
- Be determined to learn from your decisions, good and bad. Every experience in life has a seed of wisdom hidden in it. When you experience the consequences of your decisions, always seek for that seed of wisdom, and nurture it so it can help you make better decisions in the future.
- Commit to making better decisions. Your past decisions may not have been the wisest. However, you can start making wiser ones today. What you must do though is commit to doing so.
When making decisions, especially important ones, you should:
- Make sure the options you’re considering align with your vision and values. In life, there are many opportunities and options, but not all of them are right for you. Your decisions should bring you closer to your vision for your life and shouldn’t compromise your values.
- Evaluate the pros and cons of each option. When you have more than one valid option (i.e. options that are in harmony with your vision and values), make a list of the pros and cons of each option and, once you’ve analyzed these pros and cons, choose the option that makes most sense.
- Consult a trusted, wise person. Discussing your situation with someone you trust can really help you when you’re stuck. By consulting a trusted person (or persons, if you’re fortunate to know more than one), you get the benefit of his or her perspective and experience. Remember though that the final decision is always yours to make, not someone else’s.
- Pray for wisdom and guidance. God wants what’s best for you. Trust that He’ll provide you with the guidance and wisdom you need to make the best decision, and that, if ever you make a mistake, everything will work out for the best with His help.
Question: What do you consider when making important decisions? You can leave a comment below.
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