Making the right decisions...

My friend Sam is desperate to change jobs but she's paralysed with the fear that she's going to make the wrong move and end up in the same mind-numbing position she's in now. What else can she do? What if it doesn't pay very well? What if she ends up more stressed and over-worked than she already is? What if she doesn't get on with everyone? What if...?

Every day, I talk to people like Sam who know they need to do something but find it increasingly hard to make the decision to take action.

So, how do I help them ensure the decisions they make are the right ones? Here are some tips which should help you on the way to your future choices...


1. Recognise that there are no right reasons for making a particular decision. The fact that a particular path is important to you makes it right, regardless of what others think. You know yourself better than most, so be confident in your feelings.


2. Think clearly and honestly about any fears or motives that guide your thinking - are they real? Just because something failed in the past, will you let that happen again?


3. Brainstorm alternatives. Can you construct the available alternatives into a compromise that increases the pros and reduces the cons? Look for ways to have your cake and eat it too.


4. Decide when you're going to stop collecting information about your decision. It's good to have sound knowledge behind your decision but avoid putting it off thinking that with just a little more time and information you'll be able to make a perfect decision. Remember that no decision is perfect and that all choices are made in a condition of some uncertainty.


5. Acknowledge that you might learn things in hindsight that would have changed your decision had you known about them earlier. This thought is normal, and should not be allowed to put a stop to your decision making.


6. Make the decision.