Six strategies for making the decision that’s weighing on your mind

Have you ever found yourself stuck trying to make a decision, especially when it’s between two or more options that all seem like they can be the “right” choice?

Here are six strategies to help you make that decision when you find yourself torn and jumping back and forth between different options:

DO YOUR RESEARCH

Maybe there is some information you can gather by doing online research, information interviews or reading through books or magazine articles. Maybe you can speak with someone who has pursued one of the choices you are considering right now to see what she’s learned from the experience and what she would recommend. Especially if this is a larger decision, take the necessary time to do your due diligence before committing. Remember to do this even if – maybe especially if – someone is pressuring you to make your decision right now.

LIST OUT YOUR PROS AND CONS

It can often be very helpful to see the pros and cons of the various options sitting there right in front of you. Somehow it’s more objective when you can pull those thoughts that are bouncing around in your mind and just organize them in lists to help you determine which option to select. This will also help you see if there is a common theme between all of the pros you’ve listed and/or all of the cons. For instance, maybe all the cons for one of the choices have to do with what-ifs and fears. Seeing and becoming more aware that your anxieties may be playing a big role in your decision making process may make it easier for you to make the decision and not let the anxiety have the power.

DISCUSS THE OPTIONS WITH SOMEONE YOU TRUST

Sometimes the best way to reach a decision is discussing the possibilities with somebody you trust and who won’t judge you, someone who will just listen to what you are saying – and not saying – and who will help you see what you really want deep inside. And sometimes just talking about the options and speaking your thoughts out loud will help you see which choice is better for you right now, even without the other person really saying anything at all.

SEE YOUR CHOICES AS OPTION A AND OPTION B, NOT RIGHT OR WRONG

Often, we are indecisive or have trouble making decisions because we are afraid of making the wrong choice. As Susan Jeffers wrote in Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway, what if you could see the options in front of you as two equally valid possibilities – Option A and Option B – and that neither is right or wrong? What if you could see them both as options that would help you?

DO ALL/SOME OF THE ABOVE – AND THEN WALK AWAY

Sometimes, we do our research, write out our pros and cons, journal, discuss the options with someone else – and we still don’t know what to do. Sometimes, it’s best to take in all the information and then walk away, giving yourself an opportunity to process the information and giving your inner voice and intuition an opportunity to help you make a decision that is in line with your values, goals, strengths and where you are in life. Remember, it doesn’t have to be all or nothing, now or never.

MAKE A DECISION – AND GO WITH IT

Once you’ve done all the above, it may just be time to make a decision. Think about it; reflect on it – but don’t keep pushing off the decision. At some point, you will just need to make the decision. And once you’ve made your choice, just keep going forward with it unless some major reason arises that makes you pull back. Otherwise, even after all the efforts you’ve put in to make your decision, you may still second guess yourself and wonder whether you’ve actually made the right choice, and you may find yourself stopping and starting instead of moving forward.