We all make hundreds of decisions each day.
Sometimes, we have to make tough decisions under pressure.
Sometimes, the decision itself can cause stress.
When we are under constant stress, we might rush in without all the information or put things off.
Try these tips:
- Prioritise your decisions - Is this a big decision with serious consequences? If so, spend time making that decision instead of less important decisions.
- Know your timeframe - Think about the amount of time you need to spend making the decision. When does it need to be confirmed? What do you need to know to be well-informed? What information can you get in the timeframe you need? Keep in mind that delaying or avoiding a decision is making a decision not to act.
- Consider your options - think through the benefits and impacts of each.
- Utilise your support network - It can be helpful to discuss your options with professionals or trusted family and friends. They may have information or knowledge to assist you in making the decision.
It's important to evaluate our decisions and to be flexible if things change or we find new information. It can help to put in a plan to monitor the situation and to reassess a few weeks or months down the track.
If we find that our original decision wasn't the most beneficial, it's important to remember the decision made was the best at the time with the available information. Instead, we could invest our energy into putting actions in place to change direction.
If you are having trouble making decisions and find that it is affecting your day-to-day life, it might be time to talk to a mental health professional.
They can help guide you through the process and give you some more strategies.
