How to Decide
What to do when you can't decide
When you are faced with a decision to make, here is the best way to approach it:
- State the decision in form of a 'yes or no' question.
- List all the reasons for; then all the reasons against.
- Keep asking 'What else?'
- Always add additional lines to stimulate the mind.
- Decide a weighting system that gives enough flexibility.
- Be honest and objective.
- Add up the numbers and the decision is made.
1. State the decision in form of a 'yes or no' question.
The first step is to reduce the decision to a single line question, which may be answered with a simple Yes or No.
Wording the initial question is the vital step to making a good decision.
Ensure the question is worded in a balanced manner.
Be sure that you do NOT imply a bias in the way you word the question. For example:
Should we destroy our future by doing X or should secure our future by NOT doing X? Is a biased question.
A non-biased version would be: Should we Do-X or Not-Do-X?
2. List all the reasons for and all the reasons against.
List all the reasons for and against the decision.
Ensure that you do not repeat the same point, simply by rewording a single reason in many ways. For example:
I should buy a bigger car, because I need a bigger boot space.
I should buy a bigger car, because I don't want to struggle with carrying my luggage.
3. Keep asking 'What else?'
Keep listing all the reasons for affirming the decision, until your brain runs dry of reasons, or you end up repeating yourself.
4. Always add additional lines to stimulate the mind.
Keep adding unfilled spaces to your list to stimulate your mind to think of more ideas.
5. Decide a weighting system that gives enough flexibility.
We suggest you score all the reasons out of 100.
- 100 means maximum importance.
- 001 means minimum importance.
Score out of 100 every reason FOR X; then every reason for NOT X.
6. Be honest and objective.
Don't cheat yourself by skewing your scores to fit a predetermined opinion, that you had in the back of your mind, before you started the analysis.
7. Add up the numbers and the decision is made.
When you have weighted each reason for both sides of the decision, add up the totals and the decision is made.
Decision Maker App
Our free Decision Maker App will guide you through the above process and help make you make your decision.
I want to decide right now, take me to the Decision Maker App!
Blogs by Email
Do you want to receive an email whenever we post a new blog? The blogs contain article 5-10 minutes long - ideal for reading during your coffee break!
Further Reading in Personal Effectiveness
-
How to Remember People's Names
If you want to make a great first impression, learn how to remember people's names. This simple 3-step method will help every time.
Read Article > -
Take Pride in Yourself
Don't confuse pride with arrogance. You can feel good about yourself without being big-headed. Don't let your thoughts become a self-fulfilling prophecy, use self-determination to empower yourself.
Read Article > -
The RAPID Method for Genuine Self-Esteem
Good mental health is based on achieving genuine self-esteem and self-confidence. The RAPID method helps achieve this by developing rational, active, purposeful, independent and disciplined minds.
Read Article > -
How Can I Make People Like Me?
Everyone wants to be liked by others. Being honest and trustworthy, is a good start. Here are ten tips to remember if you want to be liked and admired by others. Try one today, you will be pleasantly surprised by the outcome.
Read Article > -
Be Committed, Consistent and Progressive
Don't rely on others to improve your current situation. Rely on yourself to make your life better. Commit one hundred percent to improving on your current condition.
Read Article >
Looking for Personal Development Training?
If you're looking to develop your Personal Effectiveness Skills, you may find this Personal Development Training Course beneficial:
Open Training Course Pricing and Availability
Next Open Course Starts in 8 days, Manchester City, places available