Life is full of choices. In fact, the moment we open our eyes every morning is a confrontation right then as to how we are going about to face the day. Are we going to take a bath? What time should we be at school or in our workplace? What clothes should we be wearing? What are we eating for breakfast? And things like that. Our days are composed of choices – may it be big or small. Still, we have to face them.

WE HAVE TO MAKE A CHOICE.

As we enter the new year 2019, it seems like all of us have another chance to get our lives right back on track again. It gives us an opportunity to have a clean slate in terms of decisions and experiences that we must make, being more careful about it in order not to regret anything as we start a brand new year. But, along with the new year comes a new series of things we need to make a choice of. That needs our decision-making.

So, how good are we really, in terms of making decisions?

These choices that we are making could impact our lives forever. Some could have consequences, if we make the wrong one while others could turn out to be something really great and unexpected, if we choose the right one. Whether these choices could do us good or will bring us harm, it’s all in our hands. This is what makes us, or breaks us. We should keep in mind that who we are today is a product of the choices that we have made over the years. And because we have our individuality and differences, we make decisions based on who we are and what beliefs we hold true to ourselves. Thus, determines our distinction to everyone else. Our decisions are what make us unique. However, making the good, if not the best decision will rely solely on the person’s effort and willingness to take charge in the whole process of decision-making. 

To make a decision on anything, you should have enough wisdom to take control. You must be able to trust yourself enough that whatever the outcome is, you have already prepared for it because you have thought about it long enough and have weighed the situation and everything that is involved beforehand. Sometimes, we make decisions and get unwanted outcomes because we just decide on it quickly without thinking about it properly. But as humans, of course we are entitled to our own shortcomings and mistakes. And making a wrong choice or decision is always part of living. The important part of it is for us to know that every wrong decision is an opportunity for us to learn and be better the next time. And on a brighter note, whether it is a good or bad decision, it will always give us something to carry on in life. It will always give us an experience for keeps, or even attitudes to get rid of. 

Frank Sonnenberg, an award-winning author and one of America’s most influential small business experts suggested 7 ways to make good choices.

Manage the big stuff. It’s very easy to get sidetracked by insignificant issues in life. If you spend a lot of time on trivial stuff, you won’t have time to contemplate things that matter.

Values matter. Make decisions that are consistent with your core beliefs and values. The alternative invariably leads to regret.

Learn from the past. Learn from your experiences and the experiences of others. Identify situations where you’ve had a similar choice in the past. How can you apply those lessons learned to the existing situation?

Know what you know and what you don’t know. Don’t try to be an expert in everything. Seek input and advice when variables lie outside your comfort zone.

Keep the right perspective. View an issue from every vantage point. What do the facts say? What is your intuition telling you? Is your conscience trying to tell you something? Listen up.

Don’t procrastinate. You’ll rarely have all the information that you need to make a “perfect” decision. So don’t demand perfection. The philosopher Voltaire warned against letting the perfect be the enemy of the good. That advice still holds true today.

Once you make a decision, don’t look back, make it work. Don’t second-guess yourself. You can’t relive the past. It’s a waste of valuable time and energy.

At the end of the day, keep in mind that your whole being is a sum of all the choices that you have made in your life. To avoid regrets, one must always take into consideration the choices that he or she makes. And overall, your happiness should always come first. If you feel that you are happy with the decision without having to step on anyone’s foot, then you are on the right track.