How to Become a Great Decision Maker (Yes, It’s a Skill!)

Let’s talk about something that trips us up way more than it should: decision making.

We all know how it feels to be stuck between two choices, wondering what’s the right thing to do, and feeling like the pressure is building.

If you don’t decide, life tends to step in and make that choice for you.

But here's the thing, great decision making isn’t just something you're born with. It's a skill, and like all skills, it can be learned. You can absolutely become a great decision maker.

In fact, decision making is one of those fundamental skills that will move you forward in everything - from landing your dream job to building strong relationships to creating a life that feels just right for you.

Let’s dive into how to make better decisions. Starting today!

The Real Deal with Decision-Making

Let’s say you’ve just received a job offer. It seems pretty good on paper, but deep down, you know it’s not quite the right fit for you. Still, you don’t have any other options, and you’re kind of desperate to leave your current job.

So, what do you do? You lie awake at night, tossing and turning, wondering if you should just take the job or turn it down.

Here’s the thing, you have options. You could:

1. Just take the job and hope everything works out.

2. Reject the job and use the experience to refine your job search.

3. Dig deeper into your concerns and figure out what’s bothering you.

4. Do nothing and lose the job altogether.

Most of us would probably go with option 1, right? After all, it’s an opportunity, and you don’t want to miss it. But here’s how to approach this situation with more clarity and make a great decision.

A Simple (But Powerful) Decision-Making Framework

The key is to create a simple process for making decisions. One that you can trust. Here’s a foolproof method for structuring your decision making:

1. Identify Your Must Haves

Make a list of 5-7 things you’re absolutely looking for in your ideal role. This can be anything from a certain type of work environment to specific tasks or the kind of team you want to work with. Write down everything that matters to you.

Then go through every item on your list. Ask yourself, If I had everything else I wanted but this one thing, could I live without it? If the answer is yes, cross it off the list. What’s left is clear decision making criteria.

2. Evaluate against Your Criteria

Now that you have your clear, non-negotiable criteria, use them to assess the job offer. How well does it align with what you truly want? This will help you make a decision that feels right, not just logical.

This process might highlight where you need more information to make the decision. Or it might show you exactly why this role isn’t the right opportunity for you, allowing you to say no with confidence.

3. Use Your Intuition

If this process doesn’t work for you, try another approach. Trust your intuition. List the possible actions you could take, and then ask yourself which one feels right. If you get a clear “yes” to one option, go with that.

And, if you're really stuck, toss a coin. It might sound silly, but often, you’ll know which outcome you’re hoping for before the coin even hits the ground. That’s your answer.

The key is having a structured way to process your thoughts, so your decision feels grounded, even if it’s an intuitive one.

Trust Yourself: The Power of Self-Confidence in Decision Making

Here’s the secret to making better decisions: trust yourself.

Making decisions isn’t just about picking an option, it’s about following through. It’s about doing the thing you decided to do. And to do that, you need to trust yourself enough to take action.

Self-trust doesn’t just magically appear. It’s built over time. Every time you make a choice and see it through, you’re collecting evidence that your decisions are worth trusting. You’ve probably made countless decisions in your life, everything from what to eat for dinner to whether to ask someone out. And guess what? Most of those decisions have worked out just fine.

Think back on all the decisions you’ve made. You’ve learned something from each one, even the mistakes. So, the next time you’re struggling to make a choice, remind yourself that you’ve got a whole bank of successful decisions behind you.

And celebrate those little wins! Every time you stick to a plan or listen to your gut, you’re reinforcing your ability to trust yourself. The more you do this, the more confidence you’ll build.

Tips to Make Decision Making Easier

If you’re ready to up your decision making game, here are a few more things to keep in mind:

1. Check Your Emotional State

Emotions can cloud your judgment. When you’re feeling angry or stressed, your impulse is to act quickly. But knee-jerk decisions often don’t turn out well. If you’re emotional, try to sit with those feelings first and make the decision when you’re feeling more neutral.

2. Inaction Is a Choice

Remember, not making a decision is still a decision. If you sit back and let things unfold, life will decide for you. And if you want to take control of your life, you need to be the one calling the shots.

In saying that, waiting for clarity is absolutely a strategy you can use to support your decision making. Just be conscious that is what you’re doing rather than letting life happen to you.

3. When Choices Feel Impossible

If you’re stuck between two options and it feels impossible to choose, maybe the problem is you don’t have enough options. Go back to the drawing board and see if there’s a third choice you’re overlooking.

4. Don’t Overthink It

Most decisions aren’t make or break. Few are irreversible. So take the pressure off and remember that most of what you decide isn’t going to drastically change your life.

5. Simplify Things

Sometimes, the best decisions are the simplest ones. Instead of endlessly debating how to spend your budget, decide to save money until your next paycheck. This removes the mental load and keeps you from second guessing.

The Bottom Line: You’re Already a Great Decision Maker

The truth is, you’ve been making decisions your whole life. From the small daily choices to the big life changing ones, you’ve been practicing decision since you were little. And each time you make a choice, you’re building your decision making muscle.

So, trust yourself. Use a structured process. And remember: you don’t have to get it perfect. Just keep moving forward and learning along the way.