How To Decide Faster

Develop a mindset for making faster decisions

Decision-making is a life-long activity.

If you don’t get good at it, it can lead to regrets later in life.

Whether in your relationship, business, or work, at a point, you would be on the spot to call decisive shots that could make or mar you.

Now you want to make a decision. You find your mind splitting, thinking about different things. You are hesitating, undecided.

One, you may be confused. You don’t know what to do. Two, you delayed making that decision to a later time — which you may later regret. Three, you feel making the decision right now is not a priority. You brush aside the thoughts popping up in your mind.

It is understandable some decisions need time before making them. You have to think thoroughly and see clear pictures of things before you decide.

However, the more you think about it without progress, the more you delay the decision and weigh yourself down. And when you’re finally ready to decide, things may be late or already out of your hands.

To avoid this, below are practical ways that can help you decide faster and develop a mindset for making decisions fast.

1. Limit your options

Options run through your mind. You let them linger for long yet, no decisive step.

The more those options stay in your thoughts, the longer it takes for you to make a decision.

It is good you opened your mind to different possibilities. But you can’t choose them all. Cut down the options by looking at the pros and cons of each one and stick with one.

2. Draw a line between good and bad

Decision time is not a time to be emotional.

It is not the right time to let compassion rule your mind. Having a soft spot for something can influence your decision-making. Either it delays it, or you don’t make any decision at all.

In a situation like this, think about yourself first. What is in it for you if you don’t decide fast.

Think about the hardship you find yourself in. Is this how you want to continue living a stressful life or put your health on the line? Is this how you want to continue to be in a financial mess or toxic relationship?

Think deeply about both sides of a situation. You will be able to have vivid pictures of things and make a decision fast.

3. Listen to the gut feeling

I’ve had situations in my life when a thought would pop up in my mind and, I hesitated to do it.

The thought could be as simple as asking for someone’s name or switching off an electrical appliance. Or saying one positive word or doing one act.

I felt those thoughts were not urgent and brushed them aside. When I finally made up my mind to do them, it was late. The opportunity had passed.

Listen to your gut feeling and follow it with action immediately. If doing it has no negative impact at that moment, you shouldn’t delay it.

4. Think of your time and energy

Indecision takes away time. It leaves you with a heavy heart.

On several occasions, I think forth and back about what decision I should make. It would have been better if I was streamlining my choices. But no, this is not the case.

A thought would say to me, “Go pick your wristwatch on the table and wear it. It makes you look good”. Another silent thought would say, “Why wear your wristwatch? You don’t need it”.

The annoying part is my legs may be taking two, three steps forward towards the table where the wristwatch is and backward away from it.

You may face more burning issues than the above scenario. Think of the time and energy you will waste on it.

You know what is best for you here, so just do it.

5. Know that decisiveness grows with each decision

Don’t worry if you’re not decisive yet.

Over time, as you try to make a decision fast, you become more and more decisive.

When you start to get used to limiting your options, drawing a hard line between good and bad without emotion attached, follow your gut feeling, your mindset starts to change and tilt toward making decisions fast.

6. Remember that indecision “kills”

Know the downsides of indecision. Think of what you may lose that you may never gain back anytime soon if you’re indecisive.

Because you’re indecisive, you are in an abusive relationship. Now you’re traumatized and physically abused.

Because you’re slow in making a decision, you work for a company that doesn’t give a damn about your health or cares about your future. Now your health is deteriorating, and your future has no bearing or security.

Run through your mind these types of thoughts. It is like you’re hitting a horse with a whip at the back. You learn to decide fast.

Conclusion

Life is full of decisions. Some, you make for yourself. Some, others make for you because you’re an indecisive person.

To decide faster, limit your options, draw a hard line between good and bad, and listen to your gut feeling.

Think of the time and energy you lose when you’re indecisive. And the burden that comes with thinking about something over and over again without making headway.

Remember, indecision could make you lose golden opportunities, freedom, and other precious things in your life.