Why is making a decision SO HARD!? This is the narrative that so many of us tell ourselves. We are scared of what will happen if we do, we’re scared of what will happen if we don’t. We don’t know what the right decision is, what if we choose the wrong option? What if one option would work out better than the others? We ask everyone and their mothers for their opinions. You finally think you made a decision but then someone says they would go with the other and all of a sudden you question everything again and you start right back at the beginning.

Now take a moment and think about a time when it was easy to make a decision… There was concrete proof that showed you it was the right decision. You knew exactly what you wanted. You followed your gut instinct. Someone you trusted and respected gave you advice and you followed it. What if making a decision could always be that easy!?

The difference between an easy decision and a hard decision is that with an easy decision you already have concrete or tangible proof as to why that is the right option – when it comes to hard decisions – you do not yet have the concrete evidence or proof as to which option will provide you the results you are looking for. In order to make a hard decision easy you must create that proof. You do that by first making a decision and sticking to it. Stick to the decision and take action. That action you take will create the evidence and proof you need to determine if you must make adjustments.

3 reasons why NOT making a decision is the worst decision you can ever make: 

1. You are wasting your time. Staying in the “I don’t know” is robbing you of your time, happiness, & energy. How much time are you spending going back and forth debating all the different risks – making a decision then not making a decision sitting in this limbo. Stop wasting your own time.
   
2. You are staying stagnant. The way you evolve as a human is through experiences – good and bad. Decisions are the catalyst to experience. If you want to grow as a person it is absolutely necessary to make decisions and increase your experiences. This is where true growth comes from.

3. You lose confidence in yourself. As you spend more and more time debating everything – second guessing yourself – not knowing what is best – you begin to lose more and more trust in yourself. The key to increasing your confidence is making a lot of decisions. Every time you make a decision your confidence grows with it.
   

Now that we know WHY we need to make a decision, here is HOW. 

5 steps confidently make a decision: 

1. Envision the best case scenario. What if you were to succeed no matter what. Which option would you choose? So many of us are accustomed to thinking of the worst case scenario when trying to make a decision – we envision it not working out – and make a decision or lack thereof based on that. Let’s change this perspective and make a decision based on the best case scenario.
   
2. Failure is a good thing. So many people don’t make a decision because they are scared of failure – but let me tell you something – failure is not as bad or scary as it sounds – it’s actually imperative to learn, grow & succeed. When you fail you learn that wasn’t the right way of getting it done and it shows you that you can make some changes and try again until you accomplish what you are looking to do. Successful people get really good at failing. They fail to learn, adjust, and keep going. Think of a really successful person – do you think they got there automatically? No, they failed their way there.

3. Ask your future self. This one sounds silly at first but it is so powerful. Your future self is so wise. Have a conversation with them. What would they say you should do? When having a conversation with your future self you are able to tap into all the information you think you don’t know. You are able to confidently talk to yourself as if fear and failure isn’t a bad thing or an option. You are able to look at the options with a level and clear head. Trust me on this one. Ask your future self.

4. Which option aligns with who you want to be? If one option aligns with the person you want to become then that is the right opinion for you even if it scares you. Fear and discomfort are not reasons to not do something. Stop letting those feelings be the reasons you are indulging in confusion. Discomfort is actually the currency of getting what you want in life. Think about it – getting fit and in shape – you have to work out – while you are out you have to feel discomfort – Getting a promotion and going for a new job – you have to put yourself out there, be seen and go through an interview – those things can also cause discomfort. Discomfort is a feeling you want to embrace, not avoid.

5. Give yourself a deadline and stick with it. This is one of the most important steps. If you are in the process of making a big decision or even a small one but are getting stuck in confusion or the miserable land of “I don’t know” – give yourself a deadline on when you need to make a decision and stick to it at all cost.

If you follow these five steps you will be able to confidently explain why you came to the decision you did. You will be able to have your back on the decision no matter what. If someone says you should have done something else you can explain to them why you didn’t go that route without wavering on your judgment. It is important you like the “why” behind your decision.

The ONLY time you are allowed to change your mind is when you have taken action based on your initial decision and can confidently adjust your decision if needed. It is okay to change your mind – but only when you have evidence and proof to explain to yourself why. Do not change your mind until you have taken enough action from your initial decision to prove to yourself a change is needed.

I want to leave you with this — there is no such thing as the wrong decision. Just because someone is decisive doesn’t mean they are always right, it just means they understand the decision making process. They understand they need to make a decision, stick to it, and adjust if needed after seeing results. Practice this on smaller scales and before you know it you will become the decisive queen you always wished you were.