I used to make terrible decisions every single day.
It wasn't one big, dramatic choice that led me astray. It was a thousand small ones. Choosing another hour of gaming over work. Grabbing junk food instead of something healthy. Hitting snooze instead of getting up. Each decision felt small in the moment but they added up. Before I knew it I was stuck in a cycle of unhealthy habits that left me over 110 pounds overweight and feeling completely lost.
Changing my life felt impossible. But it all started by learning how to make one better decision at a time. It’s a skill not a gift. And it’s a skill you can learn too. If you feel stuck or overwhelmed by the choices in front of you I get it. I’ve been there.
Here are the steps that helped me go from a life of bad habits to a life of purpose.
15 Steps to Sharpen Your Decision-Making
Making good decisions isn't about some secret formula. It's about having a clear process. This is the process that works for me.
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Know the Real Problem. It's easy to focus on the symptoms. I thought my problem was being overweight. The real problem was my daily choices about food and activity. Ask yourself: what is the root issue I need to solve? Don’t just put a bandage on it.
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Gather Information. Don’t just guess. Look for facts. If you're making a financial decision look at the numbers. If it's a health decision talk to a professional. Get the information you need but don't get buried in it.
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Check Your Values. Your decisions should line up with who you want to be. For me my Christian faith is my foundation. I ask myself if a choice will bring me closer to God and align with the person He created me to be. What are your core values? Make sure your choices honor them.
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List Your Options. Write down every possible path even the ones that seem a little crazy. Sometimes the best solution isn't the most obvious one. Getting everything out of your head and onto paper clears the fog.
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Think About Consequences. For each option what is the likely outcome? Think about the short-term and the long-term. Eating a whole pizza feels good for about 15 minutes. The long-term consequence is feeling sluggish and unhealthy. Always consider the future you.
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Trust Your Gut but Verify It. That inner feeling is often right. But it isn't everything. Use your gut feeling as a guide then check it against the facts and your values. Your intuition and your intellect are a powerful team.
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Talk to Someone Wise. You don’t have to decide alone. Find a trusted friend a mentor or a spiritual guide. Explain the situation and just listen. A different perspective can reveal things you completely missed.
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Give Yourself a Deadline. Don't let a decision hang over your head forever. That’s called analysis paralysis and it’s a trap. Set a reasonable deadline to make your choice. This creates focus and forces you to move forward.
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Avoid Emotional Decisions. Never make a big decision when you're hungry angry lonely or tired. These states cloud your judgment. I made my worst food choices when I was tired and stressed. Step away. Eat something. Get some rest. Decide with a clear head.
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Make the Choice and Commit. Once you've done the work it's time to act. Make the decision and move forward with confidence. Don’t second-guess yourself into inaction.
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Break It Down. A big decision can feel overwhelming. After you choose your path break the first step into a tiny action. When I decided to lose weight my first action wasn’t a crazy diet. It was just drinking a glass of water instead of a soda. Small steps build momentum.
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Learn from Bad Decisions. You will still make mistakes. Everyone does. Don't beat yourself up. Instead ask: what can I learn from this? A bad decision is a lesson not a life sentence. Failure taught me more than success ever did.
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Celebrate Good Decisions. When you make a good choice acknowledge it. It doesn’t have to be a huge party. Just a quiet "good job" to yourself can reinforce the positive behavior. This is how you build a new habit of making good choices.
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Get Enough Sleep. A tired brain is a bad decision-maker. It seeks the easiest most comfortable path not the best one. Prioritizing sleep is one of the best things you can do for your mind and your life. It’s not lazy. It’s essential.
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Pray for Guidance. This is my most important step. When I feel lost or uncertain I turn to God in prayer. It brings a peace and clarity that nothing else can. It reminds me that I’m not in this alone and that His wisdom is always available to me.
Improving your decision-making is a journey not a destination. It’s about building a new muscle. It will feel hard at first but it gets easier with practice. You don't have to change everything overnight. Just focus on the next right choice in front of you.
What's one small decision you can make today that your future self will thank you for?
