9 Steps to Make Decisions that Stick
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Do you find making decisions brings anxiety and fear?
Are you overwhelmed with thoughts of frustration and procrastination?
When faced with a life altering decision, do you often miss opportunities because you don’t have a strategy to execute your decision?
I believe the following 9 steps will help empower you to:
- Remain calm as you are thought processing
- Gather needed resources to help in your decision making
- Consider all your options
- Make a visual plan
- Gain wisdom to aid you in making right choices
- Use your findings to make a decision you won’t regret
- Make decisions that benefit both you and your family
- Achieve your goals
Every day you face decisions. From what time you will wake up, what you will eat for breakfast, what you will wear for the day, what time you are leaving your house, to what path you will take to reach your destination, and so on. I think you get the idea.
Decision making is a process you encounter daily.
You think through situations sometimes without even realizing you have made a decision. It almost seems robotic.
Have you ever left work and have been rehashing your day and, before you realize it, you are pulling into your driveway? This is likely because your mind has programmed, or mapped out, the route you have traveled so frequently it’s like set to autopilot. Your thought process was so focused on the events from your day, and you rehashing them, that your memory from your frequently traveled route becomes automatic.
Perplexing how are minds work and stores information, isn’t it?
Decision making can be overwhelming if you don’t have the right steps and plan to follow.
Steps to Follow to Make Decisions with No Regrets
D
Don’t Panic! Pray and seek God’s guidance.
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”~Philippians 4:6 NLT
When you face a decision, try not to panic. Take a moment to step away from the situation to collect your thoughts and seek clarity.
Anxiety hits when faced to quickly make a decision. We become overwhelmed and our emotions alter our thought process. Step back and pray.
In addition, prayer helps relax your mind, body, and soul as you are seeking for strength, guidance, and clarity. How? Because you are communicating with your Heavenly Father, receiving comfort during your stress.
E
Explore and research all resources.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”~Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT
Before making any big decision, explore all viable options.
Don’t relay only on passed, gathered knowledge. What may have worked before may not work again. Situations change, previous opportunities have passed, you have learned new skills. Seek for new knowledge about the decision at hand. Research, research, research!
C
Consider all consequences. Weigh out the good and bad.
“Get wisdom; develop good judgment.”~Proverbs 4:5a NLT
Think about how your decision will affect your family, finances, emotions, and your mental stability.
Exam all potential outcomes. Consider the good AND bad that may develop from your decision.
- Will you need extra finances to make this decision?
- Do you have to move?
- Will your children have to apply to a new school?
- What problems may arise from this decision?
- How long do you have to make this decision?
- Why are you contemplating this decision?
- Where do you see you and your family in five years because of this decision?
We learn lessons through both good and bad decisions.
I
Incorporate all your information to develop your plan.
“Wise people think before they act; fools don’t…”~Proverbs 13:16a NLT
After you have prayed, explored, and considered, now organize and comprise all your new gained knowledge.
You can use a filing system to categorize each topic.
S
Seek wisdom and help from reliable sources.
“Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.”~Proverbs 15:22 NLT
Seek counsel from reliable and trusted sources.
Always go up for wisdom, not out. What does this mean? Gain wisdom, guidance, and counsel from more knowledgeable and skilled professionals and sources.
Don’t go on social media and ask for help because you will receive conflicting amounts of advice from people that don’t know you or your situation. They may mean well, but they don’t know all the details. Also, they are your peers and may be on the same level of knowledge about the problem you are trying to solve. Go up for help. Not out.
TIPS:
- Ask questions.
- Take notes.
- Share your findings with them.
These tips can help you eliminate unneeded resources and focus on those most important.
I
Indite (write down) your consequence.
“Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.”~Habakkuk 2:2 ESV
After you have compiled all your resources, now start writing out your plan.
This helps you have a visual and mental picture to map out all your options.
You can use a whiteboard, chalkboard, electrical tablet, or notepad if you like traditional.
The primary goal is to write it out.
O
Only make decisions that honor God and benefit you and your family’s greater good.
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.”~Psalms 32:8 ESV
Pray again before you make your final decision.
Is this decision God honoring? Will it bring Him glory?
Do you have to manipulate, lie, cheat, or comprise your character to make this decision?
Over all, is this decision for the greater good and benefit of you and your family?
N
Now is the time to implement your decision with no regrets.
“We can make our own plans, but the LORD gives the right answer.”~Proverbs 16:1 NLT
You have now made it to the last step. It is time to make your decision.
Having prayed, researched, weighed out the pros and cons, and sought advice from others, have faith to follow through with your final decision.
S
Stick to your designed plan. Stay focused!
“Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.”~Proverbs 4:25 NLT
Stick to your plan! Don’t become distracted by fear and doubt.
Remember, you have prayed over this plan, researched, and sought wisdom from those with experience.
Have faith and God and the plan He has guided you to follow.
Follow your decision and have no regrets.
“Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.”~Proverbs 16:3
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Great tips especially about looking for wisdom from reliable sources.