5 Steps to Making Decisions You'll Be Happy With

Decisions, decisions. Every day we are faced with tons of decisions. Some are simple such as what to have for breakfast and others are complex like whether to stay or leave a relationship or a job. When we are unsure of what the "right" choice is we can feel stressed and pressured. When we have too many decisions to make we can also feel stressed and pressured. The key is to make good decisions in a timely manner. Since I am facing a big decision myself right now, I thought it would be a good time to revisit what to do when you don't know what to do.

The decisions we make determine our destiny and it can be stressful when we are  unsure of how to proceed. One reason we put off making a decision is because we feel we don't have enough information at hand. Rather than make the decision in the heat of the moment, it is better to put the decision on hold and give yourself more time to think about it. Salespeople love to try to make you make snap decisions, but snap decisions can be costly.

Delaying making a decision too long can be costly as well. How many times have I missed out on concert tickets due to waiting too long? Or wasted too much time in the wrong relationship? The question becomes when to wait and when to act. Today I'll share some tips on figuring out when it's time to make a decision and what to do in the meantime.

1. Resist the urge to make it happen NOW. 
Waiting is tough for most of us.  We like things to happen on our time-table. We want it NOW. Many times we take things into our own hands and try to make it happen which often leads to frustration and burnout. A recent visit to my mom's to help her sell her house was just such a scenario. I was in a dither to get the whole house cleaned up and organized and I wound up exhausted because there was too much to do in a short period of time. When I finally realized the house would sell in "God's timing" not mine, I felt so much more at peace.

2. Consider all the factors. 
Big decisions are more complex and require more in-depth analysis. I had a single friend once who has a hard time making decisions. She wanted to move closer to work. I gave her the same advice - consider all the factors. She talked to me about the utility  bills, the gasoline, the commute. It sounded like she was covering all her bases. After she moved in to her new apartment, she calls me.
"I'm not happy here."
"Why not?" I asked thinking she had done due diligence in her research .
"I don't like the location."
Now isn't location like the number one thing to consider when you're thinking about moving? Don't overlook the obvious.

3. Get comfortable with uncertainty. 
The answers don't always come immediately. Sometimes weeks, months, or even years go by. Yet, we must learn to deal with the feeling of not knowing. It is better to wait for clarity than to make a decision while we're still unclear. This is the tough part for me. I don't like feeling the weight of a decision hanging over me. I like to make the decision and move on but sometimes it takes me a while to get clear. Often, past negative experiences impact how we feel about a current situation. We need to learn the lessons from the past while not allowing fear to make our decisions for us today so we can evaluate a situation objectively.

4. Practice the pause. 
The practice of the pause seems to have been lost in the hustle and bustle of today's fast-paced culture. When we learn to pause, we give ourselves time to reflect. We give God a chance to work,to intervene, to speak. Good decisions are not made in a hurry. Give yourself the time you need to feel at peace. If you don't have enough information, ask questions and wait until you do.

5. Wait for the strong "Yes".
Rest assured the answer will come. One day you will have an "Aha!" moment and the answer will become clear. This is why meditation and solitude are so important. We need to tune out all the distractions of the world so we can hear that still small voice within. When you hear that strong "Yes!" you will know exactly what to do and when to do it. Don't be like Sarah and Abraham who got tired of waiting on God to give them a child, and decided to take things into their own hands by having hubby sleep with the maid servant.

What decision are you unclear about? If there is doubt in your mind, apply some of these tips. Take time to pause. Give it to God and wait for an answer. It may be a phone call, a knock on the door, or simply that still small voice inside that speaks to each of us when we quiet ourselves enough to listen.

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Until next time, stay tuned for more insights on finding healing, wholeness, and harmony so you can discover YOUR destiny!

Keep looking up!

Ariel Paz