3 Steps in Decision Making

We were sitting over two cups of coffee, talking about life and everything under the sun, when my friend suddenly asked me a question that caught me off guard:

“How do you make decisions in your life?”

It took me a moment to answer.

Sometimes, I tend to go against the grain and follow my gut instinct, even if it’s not always reliable. But most of the time, I use logic and reasoning to guide me.

Admittedly, I’ve had my fair share of missteps. Some people see me as someone who makes poor choices, especially when it comes to letting others into my life.

But was it really the wrong decision?

For me, it’s not.

So, how can we make better decisions in life? Here are three simple tips I’ve learned along the way:

1. Beware of Negative Emotions

This might sound obvious, but making decisions while caught up in negative emotions, anger, sadness, and frustrations often leads to regret.

When we’re mad, we tend to act unfairly and selfishly, focusing only on how we feel in that moment. Our judgment gets clouded, and we lose the ability to think clearly or creatively.

That’s why it’s so important to pause and let those strong emotions subside before making any big choices.

2. Give Yourself Advice, Combine Intuition and Reasoning

Before deciding, organize your thoughts. This means using both your intuition and your reasoning.

Intuition isn’t some magical power, it’s your past experiences guiding you. That “gut feeling” comes from what you’ve learned in life.

Reasoning, on the other hand, relies on facts, logic, and solid information. To make good decisions, you need relevant, accurate data, not just any information.

The best decisions come from balancing both your gut and your brain. Don’t rely solely on one or the other.

3. Step Outside Yourself, What Would You Tell a Friend?

We’re often better at giving advice to others than to ourselves. So try this: imagine you’re advising a friend in your situation. What would you say to them?

Viewing your problem from an outsider’s perspective can bring clarity and new insights.

Try writing down the advice you’d give yourself, then read it over a few times. It’s a simple practice but surprisingly powerful.

Now It’s Your Turn

Decision-making isn’t easy, and there’s no magic formula. But I want you to remember this: there is no perfect decision. There is no perfect life.

We all stumble and fall, but every mistake is an opportunity to learn. 

So starting today, try to be kinder to yourself when you make decisions. 

Pause, breathe, and give yourself the grace to make imperfect choices.

And if you fail? Good. Fail loudly, learn fiercely, and keep moving forward.

Because in the end, it’s not about getting it “right” every time, it’s about showing up for yourself and growing stronger through it all.

You’ve got this.