Happy October! With a focus on Mental Health this month, World Mental Health Day being October 10th, it is important to discuss and recognize the priority we should place on our mental being. Mental Health is a vast subject, with many different factors that play into it. One thing we often find that can play a factor into how we are feeling is decision making. Making decisions can be very daunting, and navigating your options of a major life choice around a job, business endeavor, idea, relationship, financial decision, etc. can be a lot to take on. In light of the month, we are going to give a few techniques and tips to help you make the right decision and provide clarity to help with mental strain.
MAKE A PROS & CONS LIST
One helpful tool is making a pros and cons list! When it comes to something specific in particular, creating a pros and cons list about the “thing” you are making the decision around can help you decipher which direction you can go in. This technique can be used across multiple aspects in life, so test it out and see how it helps you out.
ASK FOR ADVICE & FEEDBACK
This may seem like a very simple option, but it is one we sometimes overlook. Asking advice from a friend, coworker, business partner, loved one, therapist, etc. is an excellent way to gain an outside perspective on your personal decision making. It is easy for us to get wrapped up in our struggles, overanalyzing our situation and getting deep into the specifics. Sharing, explaining, and asking for feedback from outsiders can bring new perspectives, as well as the basis back to reality.
DEFINE YOUR GOALS & MORALS
Defining the goals and morals you have, around any situation, can really provide clarity on decision making. While there may technically be multiple approaches to a life event, determining and reminding yourself of your goals and morals will help to automatically eliminate any options that don’t fit within them.
LONG TERM VS. SHORT TERM
Looking at both the long term, and short term, effects can be beneficial when weighing your options. Though both are important, the long term results are ones to consider and hold a higher standard to, to the betterment of your decision overall. Sometimes the immediate consequences only last for a short period of time, before transforming into something better in the long run.
ACCEPT IMPERFECTION
This is not the easiest tip, but realizing every outcome will have its imperfections is important to releasing the pressure of negativity. You may have to adapt to accommodate things not going as planned or having flaws, but knowing the other choices would have similar hurdles helps ease the mind around second guessing your decision making process.
We hope these tips and techniques help you with your decision making and mental being around it. Remember to take care of yourself and prioritize your mental being, being patient and gentle with yourselves and what you’re navigating. You got this!
