<p><strong>C</strong>hocolate or vanilla? Coffee or tea? Dress up or stay casual? Go to bed early or stay up late?</p><p>Each day we’re faced with countless decisions. Some estimates indicate we make as many as 35,000 choices in a twenty-four period.</p><p>Obviously some decisions have a minimal impact on our lives. Why not both coffee and tea, just at different times of the day? However, our choices add up to the people we become. Not making a decision? Well, that’s a choice too, whether we want it to be or not.</p><p>Major decisions often paralyze people to the point of doing nothing at all. And doing nothing can create chaos and sometimes even damage our finances, health and relationships. If you find yourself in analysis paralysis, consider these strategies to help you make the best changes in your life.</p><p><p><strong>Limit your options</strong></p><p>Allowing a toddler to pick out their clothes is a daunting and perhaps unwise task. Odds are good they have an extensive assortment of favorite t-shirts. How can you choose between Paw Patrol or dinosaurs, princesses or super heroes? More than a decade ago, I learned this lesson the hard way when my girls were young. Midmorning, we’d both be sitting on the floor close to tears. My half-dressed daughter agonized over making a choice for close to an hour.</p><p>The problem was that she had too many great options. The field was wide open as she pulled item after item out of her dresser drawers. After a week or two of this repeated scenario, another mom suggested giving her two distinct outfits to choose from. That way, she felt ownership in the decision — important during those years when kids want to do everything for themselves. Narrowing down the selection gave her both an outlined direction and breathing space.</p><p>Limiting options can also help you when making a decision. When you clearly define two to three possibilities, you can truly zoom in on the pros and cons of your situation. Don’t leave your predicament fuzzy and nonspecific. Instead, clarify the problem you’re trying to solve and outline two or three distinct paths.</p><p><p><strong>Set a time limit</strong></p><p>The indefinite is perhaps the greatest enemy of the decision making process. If at all possible, set a date specific to make a final commitment. Allow yourself enough time to wade through the evidence and seek advice. But don’t leave the time frame open ended.</p><p>Circle the date on the calendar. Set a reminder on your phone. Share your target timetable with a trusted friend or co-worker. A hard and fast deadline keeps your feet to the fire when it comes to guiding your choices.</p><p>Your time matters. In fact, delayed decision-making can cost you in the long run. Setting a time limit helps you arrive at a point of resolution more effectively.</p><p><p><strong>Seek wise counsel</strong></p><p>I know who I need to talk to when I need to make a difficult decision. I also know which of my friends will “let me off the hook” and allow me to put off choices or doing things I don’t want to do. While I appreciate the grace involved with the second approach, it’s not always the healthiest perspective.</p><p>Pause and consider who you might ask for marital advice. Or whose voice should you listen to when it comes to fitness? What people in your life have made smart financial moves?</p><p>When selecting someone for advice, choose wisely. The loudest voices often come from those with the least experience or success ratio. Be sure you’re asking someone knowledgeable both in the philosophical and practical elements of your current struggle. You may even want to get a multitude of counselors to weigh in on your situation. It’s also a good idea to read and explore the topic on your own.</p><p>Ask with a teachable heart and an open mind. When you gather information and insight, you can make a more informed choice.</p><p>Consider the impact</p><p>I think most of us would agree that making a choice between chocolate and vanilla ice cream probably doesn’t impact our families, communities, the globe or our souls. But many of the decisions we make have a ripple effect in our own lives and that of the people around us.</p><p>Before you make a determination, consider how it could transform the world around you. Could it cause damage to a relationship? Will another individual be forced into a precarious position? There are times to take a stand and choose what’s best for you regardless. However, you need to at least think through the broader influence of your actions before you jump into the deep end.</p><p>Major decisions are major for a reason. And struggling through those choices isn’t a sign of weakness. However, putting off a decision only leads to further worry and sometimes compounded consequences. Don’t delay. Begin building a framework for success today.</p>
