Every minute of our lives is defined by the decisions we make consciously or unconsciously. These can change our career, our relationships or our whole life. Even when we do not choose, we are deciding. Unfortunately, there is no manual to which you can go to find the correct answer, then, how to make good decisions?

     

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Learning how to make decisions

Making good decisions is one of the most important and most complicated experience that any person could face. This is because any situation in which you have had to choose might have great consequences in the future, even when you no longer remember it or see it as something unimportant. For this reason, it is vital to have a methodology that allows choosing quickly and efficiently.

The future is determined by small decisions

We tend to think that our life is defined by the great decisions we make. For example, you think that if you marry the person who seems to be the love of your life you will be happy. However, they may be a violent partner and you did not notice. Everything is going well, until one day it makes you feel that it is superior to you. That is a moment that can define the rest of your relationship and life as a couple. You can choose to ignore and take the first step to a relationship where violence reigns, or explain that you will not accept that behavior.

As you can see, you must put aside your feelings, preconceived ideas and make the decision on how to continue. Once you start eliminating what does not help you decide, you are freer to choose.

Step by step decision making

      

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Every day we make decisions that do not need a methodology, for example, purchases in the supermarket. But for those more complex decisions, you can follow the following steps.

• Think about the decision you should make.
• Find the two most important options you can take. It is usually a yes and a no, and we find multiple possibilities within each one.
• Analyze advantages and disadvantages of each option. What happens if you do something? And if you do not? Remember not to get carried away by fear or excessive illusions. Keep it real.
• Identify the advantages and disadvantages that you are more willing to assume. You already know what can or can not happen, identify the risks that you can tolerate and the advantages that you like the most.
• Act accordingly. Now that you know what you can or can not accept and you know the decision that is most positive for you, it is time to carry it out.

Become responsible for your decisions

The process I talked about above is a guide, so you can adapt it as much as you want. If one day you realize that you made the wrong decision, do not blame yourself and take responsibility. Remember that no decision is totally correct and that there is no way to predict its exact consequences.

                                  

                                         @jonsnow1983