5 Tips For Making Better Decisions
We make thousands of decisions each day (over 200 decisions on food alone, according to a Cornell study). Just this morning, I made decisions about when to wake up, what clothes to wear, when to brew the coffee (right away, obviously), what food to give my kids for breakfast, which route to drive to work, where to park, who to say hello to, etc.
Most of us are looking for ways to make better decisions, because we recognize that good decision-making produces a healthier, more satisfying life. The problem, though, is that we tend to make a lot of decisions that are inconsistent with our stated values and intentions (in other words, bad decisions).
Some decisions are small and negligible (which pair of jeans should I wear today?), while others feel weighty and consequential (is this the person I want to marry?). Whatever kind of decisions you’re struggling with, here are a few of our tips for making better ones…
1. Limit your choices.
One of the best ways to make better decisions is to have fewer decisions to make. Your decision-making muscles wear down over the course of a day, and you begin to experience something called decision fatigue, which refers to the deteriorating quality of our decisions as a result of the number of decisions we’ve already had to make. Try establishing some consistent routines that prevent valuable brainpower being wasted on everyday decisions (laying out clothes the night before, creating a meal-plan for the week, etc.).
2. Take a day (or two).
If possible, take some time before making an important decision - the old “sleep on it” strategy can actually be pretty effective. When you give your brain a chance to think things through, you become much less susceptible to some of the in-the-moment decision-making traps. Try implementing a rule for yourself that requires you to wait a full two days before making an important decision.
3. Delay gratification.
Bad decisions tend to be easy and appealing in the moment, and good decisions tend to be difficult and unattractive in the moment. Developing the discipline to pass up on an immediate reward in favor of a long-term benefit is a defining characteristic of a satisfying life. Trying asking yourself, “How will the future-me feel about this choice?”
4. Get advice.
We’re not meant to experience life in isolation, and accepting that we can’t do everything on our own is a meaningful realization. Leaning on the experience, wisdom, and guidance of people we trust not only helps us make better decisions, but also deepens our relationships with others. The next time you’re faced with a big and/or difficult decision, try inviting others into your decision-making process.
5. Unplug.
Take a walk. Watch a movie. Read a book. Eat a meal with friends. Get some sleep. Go to the gym. Anything that helps your brain temporarily disconnect from whatever big decision looms ahead can be an extremely helpful way of making a clear-headed decision. Try engaging in one of your favorite activities before refocusing your mind on the decision you need to make.