Every day we make a lot of choices. It already starts with the alarm clock, will you wake up or snooze a little longer? And what are you going to do next? Will you wear your blue or your black t-shirt? What are you going to have for breakfast? Are you even going to have breakfast? All of these choices are probably easy for you and will barely take any consideration. But some choices are more complicated. How do you deal with that?

Identify your choices

The first step in decision making is to identify the choices. Answer the four questions: what are the choices, why am I making this choice, how do I make a choice and when do I need to choose? Evaluate all of the options and consider whether these choices are realizable.

The consequences of your choices

The next step is to think about the consequences of your choices. To what extent does a choice have impact on your life? Describe for yourself what will change for each choice and consider how important that change is for you. Also think about what you want to change and what you want to stay the same. Take a look at the pros and cons of each choice: Can you sum up everything you like about a choice (in detail)?

Success story

Describe for each choice how the choice can lead to a success story. Can you achieve successes with the choices you have? And what is the level of success or the probability of success? Consider what you care about the most and base your decision on it.

(Don’t) listen to the people around you

Think about what you want to do, instead of automatically choosing what you should do. What if there aren’t any rules and you dare to do everything you want to? Do you have beliefs preventing you from choosing what you want? Or do the people around you have expectations of you? Do you actually allow yourself to choose right?

But the people around you can also positively affect your choice. They can support you in making the right decision, share experiences and let you see your choices in a different light. You can use this information when making your decision.

Get on with it

Sometimes we’re so afraid to make a choice, that we don’t. The most choices we make aren’t definite, so try not to worry about it. Is choosing stressful and you simply can’t decide? Get on with it and choose, or let somebody else choose instead. Think about it, but set a deadline. It might be a risk, but look at it as a learning experience when you chose wrong.

May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears – Nelson Mandela

NiceDay: Do you have to make a difficult decision? Write in your diary how you deal with it or discuss it with you professional.