To be, or not to be? or… how to decide efficiently.

Making decisions is not easy, but since we open our eyes in the morning till we close them when we go to sleep we are constantly making decisions.

Should I wake up now or sleep for 5 more minutes?

Should I wear jeans or something more formal?

A sandwich or a coffee

Should I use the lift or go by stairs?

And so on.

However the funny thing is that till we determine our decision, we don’t know if we choose the right one or not. Some don’t seem very important, like deciding what are we going to wear today, what are we going to eat, what are we going to do and what are we not going to do. But, this things that don’t seem important are the ones that determine our daily life and our closer future. The ones that will help us to make more important decisions that will determine our life.

Even not doing anything when facing a problem is a decision. Do you know the movie Sliding Doors, starring Gwyneth Paltrow? It is incredible how can a small decision change our lives. (in the movie the main character doubts between picking a doll that a girl accidentally dropped and missing his train, or taking the train without helping the little girl; each decision creates some very different consequences ).

In short each decision has a good and a bad thing, and because of this bad thing we are afraid to make a mistake.

This can let you to a trap; indecision. It is a trap because, we can not stop making decisions. If we do it we are giving the control of our lives to other people, and when doing so we will have no control over our future.

I offer you some suggestions that will allow you to act in a positive way and this will help you to reduce future mistakes.

1. Worry more about choosing properly than to not being able to make the right choice.

Focus more on yourself, on the reasons that you have to make this important decision, and don’t ask for help to anyone.

Did you know that “the path that leads you to hell is paved with the best intentions”. This means that an “apparently” good decision, taken by a friend or someone else that is not you, could lead you to failure.

Do not always rely on others, be the responsible of your life.

2. Choose the right moment and place.

We all know that, in life there is a moment for everything. Do not hurry up but, on the other hand, do not postpone everything either. Recognise the signs around you that can help you to know which decision to take, in the right moment; if you don’t feel comfortable being with your couple anymore, if you cannot stand your work anymore, or anything else that is not very common, and this feeling you have is new, stop for a moment, reflect on what’s going wrong and make a decision.

3. Understand your mistake and, make something to change it!

When it’s time for you to make an important decision, remember that fear is your worst enemy. Just accept that it is there, and act! You are in the right moment, you already reflected on the reasons you want to do this, so just decide now; act!

Make your choice knowing that you might be doing a mistake. It’s ok. The things that you’ll learn from that decision are probably necessary for you in the future. Everything happens for something. Thank your life, as it is giving you this opportunities, and look forward, confidently, enjoying your choices, as you deserve it.

Now I give you the link to a video that will allow you to have a deeper understanding about the topic, from a very funny perspective. As Sheena Lyengar studies how we make choices… and how do we feel about them. In TEDGlobal, she talks about really simple choices (Coca Cola vs Pepsi) and about really deep ones. She shares her investigation which reveals some very impressive things about our choices.