Making decisions can often be challenging. The more you ponder a choice, the tougher it becomes to find a solution, leading you to think, "I wish someone else would decide for me." There’s even a term for the fear of making the wrong choice: Decidophobia.
A method that involves four questions, inspired by the ideas of the French thinker Descartes, can help clarify tough decisions and offer fresh insights.
To use this four-question approach, follow these steps:
First, clearly define your goal.
For instance, "I want to leave my corporate job and start a chocolate shop."
Next, thoughtfully answer these four questions. If you feel stuck after writing 2-3 answers, ask yourself, "What else?"
QUESTION 1: What happens if you take this step?
Examples could include: I can have more flexible hours. I will be my own boss. I get to choose my colleagues.
QUESTION 2: What happens if you don't take this step?
For example: I will stay in a job I dislike for another 20 years. I might regret my decision later. I can enjoy benefits like private health insurance.
QUESTION 3: What will not happen if you take this step?
Examples might be: I won't have a steady income. I won't have to follow others' rules. I won't have to travel constantly.
Was it tough? Did you find the decision easier or harder than expected? Were any answers surprising? Did your responses help you gain clarity?
Often, difficulty in decision-making arises from a lack of clarity. The clearer you are, the easier it becomes to see the outcomes. Ultimately, the choice of whether to accept potential risks rests with you. Few decisions come without some risk involved. In any choice, a small part of our mind may linger on the options we didn’t select.
Life is filled with risks. It is up to each person to choose which risks to embrace or avoid. Always consider your values, personality, expectations, and dreams, especially when faced with significant decisions.
To conclude, make small choices with logic and larger choices with your emotions; this approach usually leads to the right outcome.