7 Ways to Be More Decisive

Most of us have faced difficulty in making important decisions at some point in time. However, if you find yourself frequently struggling with small decisions like what to eat, what to wear, where to go or how to spend your time, you may be indecisive.

Indecisive people feel anxious and take a long time to make decisions. They are likely to avoid or delay making the decision and tend to regret or go back on their decisions often.

What makes you indecisive?

You might find it difficult to make decisions because you fear the consequences of the wrong one. This fear can arise if you have often been corrected for your decisions. It can make you doubt your choices. This could also be related to your desire to want to make the perfect decision, either to avoid shame or to ensure that nothing goes wrong for you.

You could be indecisive because you strive to please other people around you, and hold their opinions higher than your own. You might also fear hurting or alienating others as a consequence of your decision.

Lacking meaning in life can also make it harder to make decisions. Having a purpose can help bring clarity to where you want to be, and thus guide you to make decisions in line with that.

What can you do?

Some ways to make decision-making easier for you are discussed below:

• Prepare for what you can control, and let go of what you can't 

To deal with a fear of making the wrong decision, try to imagine the worst that can happen, how likely it is, and think of all possible solutions. This can help you feel more prepared to deal with the consequences. However, also remember that it is not always possible to predict everything that can go wrong, and be willing to let go of what isn’t within your control.

• Make a list

If you are unable to make an important decision because of the multitude of options, make a list of them. Against every option, write down the pros and cons of making that decision, and rate each option on a scale of one to ten. This can help you evaluate the situation objectively, as well as understand the best way to achieve it.

• Set a time limit

Over-analysing minor outcomes can prevent you from deciding at all. Practise making quick decisions by starting with small ones in your daily routine. Giving yourself a specific amount of time to decide what to have for lunch or what to buy, can help you practise making faster decisions. It can also help you limit the amount of time you research, make lists or think about bigger decisions.

• Prioritise your needs

If your indecision arises from blurred boundaries or conflicting roles, or your need to please or impress others, prioritise your needs to help you make the decision. Taking into consideration your preferences can ensure that the decisions you make are right for you, and help you understand that it may not always be possible to make everyone happy.

• Trust yourself

Along with logically evaluating the consequences of your decision, also pay attention to the physical sensations and reactions you are experiencing. Your instincts often involve knowledge that you may not be fully aware of while focusing on the logical components of your decision. Ask yourself which outcome makes you feel more positive and try to factor this into your analysis while making the final decision.

• Put things in perspective

Sometimes you might put a lot of weight on the impact some decisions will have, and take them more seriously than required. Ask yourself how much the decision will matter a few days or years down the line. Remind yourself that even if it will matter, you can find a way to make things better.

• Accept your decision and learn from it

Once you have made a decision, examine the results, make adjustments and take corrective measures. Try to understand what might have happened and accept the consequences. Rather than feeling guilty and regretting a decision that leads to unpleasant outcomes, learn from it and think about what you can do differently the next time a similar situation arises.