3 Step Process to Becoming a Confident Decision Maker
Make Better Decisions in 3 Simple Steps
Making daily decisions is something we all do, and it can be as simple as what to do first on our to-do list. But what if you could make those important life decisions with greater confidence and assurance? In this thrive article, we highlight a valuable process to help you become a more effective decision maker in 3 simple steps.
Identify Your Core Values – When you lead from your personal values, your decisions become much clearer and promote greater positive emotions. However, when there is a gap between your actions and values (what we call the “pain gap”), there are often negative implications (increased distress, anxiety, low self-esteem, etc.). The greater the gap, the greater the pain! Identifying your core values helps you effectively choose what is most important for your life (if you are unclear on exactly what your core values are - please take a few minutes to complete the Values Exercise Worksheet - it will be time well spent!!)
Create a Values Vision Board – Vision Boards can be powerful tools that have a unique mechanism of impact. In this version, you would find visual cues that represent each of your core values (could be photos that demonstrate a time that you were aligned with one of your core values - or - an image you find that you associate with a core value) and then posting these cues on a board that is strategically placed in a location where you will interact with it frequently, even daily. It can be as simple as writing down your values on a post-it note and keeping it in your bathroom or in your car. It helps to remind you of your commitment to living authentically and making great decisions by keeping your core values top of mind and consistently in front of you.
Practice Your Values Mission Statement – Your mission statement is your guide for keeping you in alignment with your core values. Write down and practice a short mission statement or mantra that affirms your core values, such as, “I am committed to speaking compassionately to others and creating a family environment that is fun and service oriented.” Our choices determine our character. Practicing a values mission statement is essential to becoming clearer on how you want to live your life and what kind of person you choose to be.
Values Exercise
Not sure how to identify your core values? This Values Exercise that will help you identify your top 5 core values, and learn more about your character strengths. Being aware of your values will help you navigate your life in the direction that you choose. The goal of this exercise is to increase awareness of what really matters to you by identifying your top five life values. By completing the Values Worksheet, you will have developed a clearer roadmap for making all future decisions.
Bonus Activity
There is strong evidence that value alignment is what boosts our self-esteem and allows us to live honestly and genuinely. Keeping a daily journal where you write down how your daily activities, choices, or goals are connected to your core values is another beneficial and practical step that will increase self-esteem, decrease your overall stress, improve your focus and productivity, and live with a greater sense of purpose!
This week: Try journaling daily, and see if it helps you recognize areas in your life where you are on track, or where re-alignment is needed.