How to Make Hard Decisions

“Nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious, than to be able to decide.” — Napoleon Bonaparte.

Life is full of tough decisions. Some can be completely game-changing and set (or reset) the tone of your next chapter. When these forks in the road loom before you, it can be paralyzing to pick a direction. However, not deciding is still a decision, and isn’t the best course of action. It’s better to proactively make the hard choices.

Life questions can suck. People are shown to prefer the worst news if it helps avoid a choice or makes a decision for them¹. Even with the unknowns or possibility of failure, this response seems a bit self sabotaging. Get into the habit of addressing hard questions head on. Distance yourself from the decision and try to be as objective as possible². One way to do this is utilize Warren Buffet’s “10/10/10” test. How will I feel about the decision 10 weeks, 10 months, or 10 years from now? Sometimes a hard decision now will seem like a no-brainer in 10 years, but only if it matches your goals. List out your objectives to ensure your choices match them³. This is a clear way to guide yourself with your own vision for future you.

People often look back at their previous inability to make a decision with regret⁴. Don’t be the person who is disappointed with outcomes due to inaction. Use the above strategies to consciously make the best decision you can when the forks in the road come up. Also, find comfort in the fact that very few choices are actually permanent. It’s better to make a wrong decision then work to correct it than to make no decisions at all.

Action: Attack the hard decisions this week head on.

Further Reading:

1. Hoping for the Worst? A Paradoxical Preference for Bad News
2. How to Stop Overthinking Everything
3. How to make a difficult decision
4. Commission, omission, and dissonance reduction: Coping with regret in the “Monty Hall” problem.