In our busy lives, it’s so easy for you to drift through each day, making decisions without really thinking about the consequences of your actions. If you know you’ve been guilty of making decisions without thinking through the pros and cons of them in the past, it’s time to rethink your decision-making processes. So today, we’re going to share some of the top ways to ensure you make conscious choices so that you don’t live with any regrets in the future.
Smarter Faster Better
by Charles Duhigg
⏱ 15 minutes reading time
🎧 Audio version available
Think About the Pros and Cons First
When weighing up any big decision in your life, you need to take time to consider the advantages and disadvantages of your actions. We often think about the benefits of anything we do but neglect to think about what could happen as a result of our choices. When you need to make a big decision in the future, write a list of the pros and cons first. This will help you to reflect on what you are going to do, and then you can stop yourself before it’s too late and you regret the choices you have made. We recommend taking pen to paper and writing a list of the pros and cons so that you don’t make a mistake that might cause further troubles in your life.
Notice How Your Body Reacts to Your Decisions
Our body and brain are so closely linked, which is why you’ll often feel a sensation in your stomach when you are making a poor decision. If you notice you become increasingly anxious or worried about a choice you are making, then this is a good sign that you might not be making the right choice for you. Our gut feelings should be the ones that drive us through life’s biggest changes, so don’t ignore how clever your body is when it comes to making decisions. If you aren’t sure how you are feeling, sit in silence for a few minutes and breathe deeply. This gives you a chance to really tune into your body and ensure you are making the right choices.
Don’t Let Fear Put You Off
Fear is often seen as a negative emotion, but in fact, it can be something that really helps to drive us to make great life choices. When you fear something, it may be just that you are nervous or anxious about making a big change in your life. Fear is something that can push us toward the best things that will ever happen to us. Of course, if you truly feel terrified about doing something, then it’s important that you don’t make a huge mistake. Try to differentiate between fear which will drive you forward in a positive motion, and fear which shows you are making a regrettable decision.
Reduce the Choices on Offer to You
We are so spoiled in our lives today that it can seem like the choices offered to us are simply unlimited. For example, if you are looking to purchase a new item of clothing, you might find yourself wrestling with the choice between a dozen different shades. To help you make more conscious choices, cut down the number of decisions you need to make. Do this on a daily basis, and you’ll soon find that it becomes part of your regular routine. We recommend putting this into practice by laying out your clothing and items for the next day the night before. When you minimize the number of choices you have to make first thing in the morning, you’ll set yourself up to have a clearer mind for the rest of the day.
Take Your Time
No big decision needs to be rushed. We often put so much pressure on ourselves to make life-changing decisions, but this isn’t something you need to do. Instead, take your time to think about how the decision you are making could change your life so that you consciously realize how you will feel after. For some choices, this could be a few hours, but others may need days, weeks, or months. Don’t be afraid to tell other people you need time to make a decision. They should respect your ability to take control of your life and look after yourself. If your choice involves someone else, ensure you keep them updated at all times and be respectful of their feelings. They’ll have so much more respect for you in the long run instead of just brushing them off while you are stuck in your mind.
Get Out of Your Head
If you are someone who spends too much time in your head when making decisions, then we recommend taking a walk outside or calling a friend. Instead of driving yourself mad by overthinking everything you say and do, try to escape your brain for a while so that you can make the decision when the time is right. For many of us, sleeping on a decision is the best thing we can possibly do. So before saying yes or no to something in your life, make sure you get a good night’s sleep to let your decision sink in. Then, when you wake up in the morning, you’ll know if it was the right choice, and you’ll be ready to take the next step forward in your life.
Making conscious decisions doesn’t come easily to many of us. However, the steps we’ve shared above can help you to slow down and think more clearly, allowing you to make the right decisions for your life. Try not to get too swayed by what other people say or do, as this can cloud your judgment and make it harder to make the right choices. That being said, don’t delay this action when you know the time is right to make a choice and move on with your life. You’ll find that your body and mind know when it’s time to make a change to your life, which will help to drive you towards the best life you can possibly lead.
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