How to Make Better Decisions

We've all been there. We try to juggle too many things at once or we're dealing with stressful situations and become overwhelmed. The best thing we can do when we feel overburdened is to take a step back. Take the time to breath. Sometimes jotting down everything that is taking place at that time is a good way to take in the whole picture. We don't have to carry it all in our heads fearing we may forget something. Or we're carrying it around thinking we can control every detail.

Not too along ago I was taking college courses full time, working full time, looking for a new place to live, and a new job. There was also the added stress of trying to help a family member who was dealing with a relative who suffered from addiction. I became so stressed, I got sick. That's when I decided to take the time to step back and take stock of what was happening.

I made a list of everything I wanted to address and then placed them in order of importance. Because I was in my last year of college and knew that by the end of the year, I would be finished, I placed both college and my current job as my highest priority. I then directed my family member to resources that could help not only him, but the relative dealing with addiction. After several phone calls, I handed it over to the professionals. I let go.

The result: I finished college and I am still working at the same place. I've started submitting my fiction manuscripts for children's stories. I placed the job search in the priority spot. Once I have been hired or create a new career, I'll revisit the search for a new place to live.

The worst thing we can do is to make decisions out of fear. When we allow emotions to take over, we can't be objective. Things don't turn out well. A little soul searching can uncover our true motives and lead to better decisions.

Here's a few things to consider when trying to make decisions:

1) What is your goal? What do you want to accomplish? Identifying goals is one of the most important steps in making sound decisions.

2) Be clear about what you want. For job hunting, I have set principles. I know what I want, what I would consider, and what I would not.

3) Try to keep an open mind'"remain objective and do not allow preconceived notions to cloud decisions. A coworker was fearful about her college graduate daughter's work prospects. She continued to drone on about the economy and how a kid out of college without a 4.0 GPA would be the last choice. I told her to stop trying to transpose her fears onto her daughter. After that conversation, her daughter showed up at our office having three interviews under her belt and two more to go. Two out of the three were interested in hiring her. "You see," I said. "She knows what she wants and she isn't allowing anyone or anything to dissuade her."

4) If you're feeling overwhelmed, take the time to step away, go for a walk. Listen to music. Try to meditate, or visit with friends'"do whatever it is that relaxes you, entertains you'"or makes you laugh. Laughter is a great way to release stress. It's a natural stress buster. After time away, the decisions made will be the healthiest and most favorable.

5) Don't get caught up in every single little detail. Allow things to unfold and don't allow rush.

6) Finally, pay attention to the outcome of your decisions. Realize that as you move along you will become more in tune with what feels right and what doesn't. Take your time and never berate yourself. You'll soon learn to use both intuition and reason.