5 Smart Decision-Making Strategies

With so many choices facing you each day, trying to make up your mind can leave you gnawing at your nail beds. And, ironically, it can also paralyze your decision-making ability.

"You'd think having options would be a good thing, but having too many alternatives creates a lot of pressure to make that one perfect selection," explains Barry Schwartz, PhD, author of The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less. "Not only do all these choices rob us of time, but they also diminish our confidence, so we end up regretting our decisions...or not making them at all."

To put an end to all that waffling, follow our five-point plan for making choices you'll be happy with.

Smart Choice Strategy 1: Inform Your Gut

Everyone has a sixth sense, and it can be incredibly valuable. "Intuition is the internal compass that lets you know if you're headed toward a smart decision...or headed for a fall," says life coach Marcia Reynolds, author of Outsmart Your Brain! But combining your instinct with factual info—informing your gut, so to speak—is the real way to bulletproof your choice.

"Before acting on impulse, check the facts and make sure your gut is leading you in the right direction," explains Reynolds. "Because emotion and logic live in different parts of the brain, acting on a strong feeling is not always the most reliable way to make a good decision." So even though you're sure that the new job or amazing apartment is right for you, backing it up with savvy research will let you know if your gut is right.

Smart Choice Strategy 2: Decide Like A Guy

It's easy to give guys crap for thinking only of themselves, but sometimes their me-first attitude pays off. "Guys are goal-oriented and approach decisions like scientists," says Reynolds. "They want to reach a conclusion as efficiently as possible, so they instinctively consider their own needs first. Too often, women get caught up worrying about how their choice will affect everyone else."

The trick to getting into a male mind-set? "Think about how you'll feel if you don't do what you want,” says Reynolds. "If you're going to be miserable because you're sacrificing what you really want to please others, you'll just end up being unhappy with your choice and subconsciously blame them for not letting you do what you want." Not everyone will love all the decisions you make in your life, but explaining that you've given your options careful thought and feel your happiness depends on this verdict should help skeptics see your side.

Click to the next page to read more helpful tips!

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