Making a choice is not easy, especially if there are many aspects to consider. Maybe you are afraid of making the wrong choice when looking for a life partner, choosing a job, or buying a new car. However, you can make the right decision by clearing your mind and preparing various workable options. Then, determine the positives and negatives as you consider each option. In addition, follow your heart so that you make the best choice.
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Method 1 of 3: Making Wise Decisions
Step 1. Do meditation to clear your mind
Focus your mind on the breath for 10 minutes while sitting or lying down and closing your eyes. Relax your body and let the thoughts that are popping up about the things you want to decide go by.
- Use a guided meditation app, such as Relax or take a mindfulness course to relieve stress. Find a quiet, distraction-free place to practice where you can focus on your breath while breathing deeply. Turn off the phone before practicing.
- At times, the importance of the decision to be made triggers fear and anxiety. Meditation helps you understand how you really feel and overcome the anxiety of having to make a decision.
Step 2. Prioritize what is right for you, not what others think
Are you unable to make a decision because you consider other people's opinions? Do friends, lecturers, or superiors provide useful opinions? Making decisions that are not in line with the desire to please others will trigger feelings of disappointment because these decisions are not in accordance with your wishes and plans.
- Ignore other people's opinions when considering the most appropriate decision.
- For example, a good friend who loves Indian culture may decide to study in India instead of Japan, but the same decision may not necessarily be the best for you.
Step 3. Accept the discomfort after making a decision
Be patient if your decision triggers stress or worry. Suppose this condition shows that you have thought it through and this decision is very important to you.
Don't beat yourself up if you have to ignore 1 option. Making decisions that lead to major changes are usually very difficult and can make you feel anxious
Step 4. Remember that 2 options can be equally good
Decision making becomes more difficult when you have several options. Therefore, deal with stress with positive thinking: instead of deadlocked, you are lucky to have 2 equally good options.
Method 2 of 3: Comparing Options
Step 1. Write down the positives and negatives of each option worth considering
Make a list consisting of 2 columns, 1 for positive aspects, 1 for negative aspects. Write down the possible advantages and disadvantages of each option. When you're done, choose an option whose benefits outweigh the disadvantages.
- Often, you can determine the best option simply by creating a list. Add 1 positive side to certain options to make it easier for you to make choices.
- Instead of taking something you don't like as a negative aspect, consider it a sign that you prefer another option.
- When creating the list, number it sequentially to find out the number of positive and negative impacts of each aspect. Give a value of 5 for each positive impact and a value of 1 for each negative impact and then subtract the two values. The option with the higher value may be the best option.
Step 2. Find out the negative impact of each option to prevent problems
Write down all the possible short-term and long-term negative impacts of each option. This step makes it easier for you to make the right choice if there are 2 options that are equally good so you don't make the wrong decision.
- Consider the opportunities that are still open after making your choice.
- For example, if you live in Jakarta and want to continue your studies in Paris, the opportunity to get a scholarship from a public university is closed to you once you choose to study abroad.
Step 3. Use intuition when creating lists
Write down all the benefits or positive aspects of both options that are worth considering. Then, make a list of the positive aspects of each option without thinking too much because you just have to follow your heart. When you're done writing, read the list and then decide on a more useful option.
- Both options may provide the same benefits. By applying this method, you can choose options that make it easier for you to achieve your goals or make your wishes come true.
- For example, you want to go on vacation and are considering 2 tourist destinations that are equally interesting. Before you decide, write down all the fun things you can experience in each location without much thought. When you're done, you can choose a location that provides an unforgettable experience.
- Also, observe how you feel as you consider the available options. If you're immediately drawn to one of the options, chances are you've already chosen the best.
Step 4. Use professional sources of information to objectively compare the two options
If you want to buy a specific product, look for information through trusted consumer review sites, such as Home Tester Club or yukcoba.in. Compare the two products based on their features, security level, and customer satisfaction index.
- The website is a means of getting clarification about a particular product based on the aspect of your preferred selection.
- For example, you want to choose one of 2 car seats for babies and the most important aspect for you is its safety. Use this method to make objective decisions based on information from trusted sources.
Step 5. Consider the possibility of selecting several options
Find out whether or not you choose 2 options, for example by setting a daily schedule or doing it sequentially. Sometimes, 2 options that seem conflicting can actually work out well.
For example, let's say you want to take violin lessons and join a soccer team, but it looks like you have to choose one. After careful consideration, it turns out that you can do both on different days
Method 3 of 3: Making Hard Decisions
Step 1. Get the opinion of a trusted friend or family member
Look for people who know you well, but who are not directly affected by your decision. Tell him that you trust him and want to ask for input so you can choose the best option.
- For example, say to him, "I haven't decided yet whether I want to work in Bandung or Medan. As a friend who knows my nature and talents, where do you think I should work?"
- You will feel confident if the people closest to you support the choices you want.
Step 2. Toss a coin if you can't make a choice
Set one side of the coin to represent the first option and the other side to represent the second option. Throw a coin up. When the coin falls on the floor, the side on top is the option to be executed.
- This method may seem haphazard, but if you get stuck, it can help make tough decisions.
- If you are disappointed when you see the side of the coin that is on the top, this feeling is a sign that you should choose something else.
Step 3. Choose the option with the least resistance
When faced with 2 options that are equally good, choose the option that suits your life goals and what you prioritize. Options that require you to make major changes can trigger anxiety and stress, rather than being beneficial.
- For example, because you want to have a dog, you intend to cancel your contract and move into an apartment that allows residents to keep dogs, even though this option is stressful and costs more.
- Think of the worst-case scenario of each option. If you want to choose between buying a car and a motorbike, remember that a car is safer than a motorbike in the event of an accident.
Step 4. Talk to a therapist to deal with feeling burdens
If the option you choose makes you feel depressed, see a professional counselor or psychologist. He can help you develop a decision-making strategy that makes you feel confident to follow it.
