Have you ever found yourself unable to make a decision? Whatever you choose, you will disappoint someone, and as soon as you settle on an option, your head is immediately flooded with thoughts of everything that will go wrong if you ignore the others.

Probably everyone has been in such a situation. And many have done everything possible to squirm their way through it without ultimately making a decision.

But real life is about making decisions. Our life is a series of choices, and the choices we make determine who we are and how we will be remembered. Making a decision is putting your mark on the world. And there is nothing more self-affirming than that.

The fear of making a decision

Avoiding decisions can sometimes be such a morbid state that it can turn any simple everyday situation into real agony. Choosing which dress to wear for dinner can turn into endless consultations with friends, and deciding which restaurant to visit can escalate into hours of discussion until we are completely sure that everyone in the group is in full agreement with the specific location.

Of course, we should not believe that we have the right to make unilateral decisions about things that affect other people, but if we notice an excessive tendency to consult others or seek consensus, we must quickly bring it under control.

Especially in minor situations, it often happens that everyone in a group agrees with each of the possible options and does not care which one it will be, but because no one wants to appear to be ” forcing their opinion,” no one takes responsibility for making the final decision. In such cases, everyone should have the confidence to be able to make a good decision and do so, saving everyone time and trouble.

The romance in making a choice

One thing must be crystal clear to us—choosing one thing comes at the expense of another. The courage to choose what you want also includes deciding what you will not have. This is a harsh rule, but it is precisely what makes making difficult decisions such a romantic act.

At any given moment in your life, you can only live in one country. If you choose to go and work in Germany, that means you won’t be in England or Spain. Of course, this may change at a later stage, but the specific choice requires a specific decision.

Most people will marry only one person (I hope). This is a choice for life. And by choosing one partner, you give up all other potential partners.

The happiness of choosing your own thing far outweighs the fear of losing the others. And this proves that choice is a way to celebrate ourselves.

Why is making decisions wonderful?

Making decisions shows character. It is a chance for us to show off our backbone and prove that we have one. Sometimes we face really difficult decisions, but that is where our will is hardened and where our life becomes exciting and with high stakes.

Our choices are like a mirror. When you choose option A over options B, C, and D, you show the world who you are. Other people would choose one of the others or none at all. You, however, follow your own nature and your own values and defend them through your actions. Choice turns who you are on an internal level into an objective fact that everyone else can see.

The right choice

Sometimes our choices do not determine our personal happiness, but even other people’s fates may depend on them. This responsibility is heavy, but it is an opportunity for us to test ourselves and come out of the situation knowing that we have done the best we can. In such cases, we must check our own moral compass and follow it.

For example, if you have two excellent employees in your department but can only promote one, you have to figure out for yourself what the right move is. One of them will always deserve it a little more. There may also be other factors that influence your decision. Morality is not only universal, there is also personal morality. As long as you follow it, you can find the right way out of any complicated situation and come out of it with your head held high.

How can I improve my decision-making skills?

The easiest way to get used to making decisions is to do it more often. Make choices and analyze them to get to know yourself better. We don’t have to make big life decisions every day, which is good for us, but we do have our imagination to help us. Put yourself in hypothetical situations and see what you would do. Willpower is like a muscle: it grows when we exercise it.