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How to Improve Decision-Making and Boost Your Confidence

Every day, you’re faced with about 35,000 decisions—big and small—according to a study from Cornell University. Some decisions shape your life, while others feel overwhelming under the weight of ‘what ifs.’ Whether you’re deciding on a career move, a major purchase or how to balance life’s chaos, confident decision-making is the key to progress, success and peace of mind.

Understanding the Decision-Making Process

Confident decision-making starts with understanding its key steps. At its core, decision-making involves a structured process:

  1. Identify the Decision – Recognize the need for a decision and define its scope or objective.
  2. Gather Information – Collect relevant data, insights, and perspectives to understand your options.
  3. Evaluate Alternatives – Assess the pros and cons of each choice and consider the potential outcomes.
  4. Make the Choice – Choose the best option based on your analysis and priorities.
  5. Take Action – Implement the decision with a clear plan, and monitor its results.

Our brains are wired to subconsciously follow these steps quickly for most decisions. However, mapping out this structured approach makes decision-making clearer and less stressful when making tougher choices. In fact, a study from Harvard Business Review found that 87% of surveyed executives believe their organizations will be more successful when frontline workers are empowered to make important decisions in the moment. By applying these steps, anyone can make better decisions, reduce regret, and feel more in control.

Overcome Common Decision-Making Obstacles

Fear of failure, overthinking or lack of information can hold you back. While it can cause stress, overcoming these obstacles is crucial for change. However, you can overcome these challenges by:

  • Setting deadlines. Avoid procrastination by giving yourself a clear timeline.
  • Seeking advice. A trusted friend or mentor can offer valuable insights.
  • Breaking decisions into steps. For example, if you’re thinking of switching careers, start by researching fields, networking, and aligning with your passions.

For example, when faced with the decision to switch careers, breaking the process into manageable steps like researching potential fields, networking and assessing personal interests can alleviate the fear and make the decision more manageable.

Use the SELF-Control Strategy for Success

The SELF-Control Strategy is a powerful tool for confident decision-making:

  1. Start with a clear decision. Define what you want and why it matters.
  2. Eliminate self-sabotage. Identify and address fears or doubts.
  3. Leverage your prodigy brain strengths. Use logic, creativity and unique skills to make the best choice.
  4. Make a final decision. Close each day or week by evaluating progress and planning your next steps.

Research shows that structured methods like the SELF-Control Strategy help people feel more confident and make better choices.For example, an entrepreneur weighing a new business idea can rely on the SELF-Control Strategy to stay focused, reduce doubt and play to their strengths. By following these steps, you can enhance your decision-making skills and achieve greater success.

Trust Your Intuition and Experience

Your intuition, shaped by past experiences, is a powerful guide. Research shows that intuitive decision-making helps people quickly recognize patterns, leading to faster, more effective choices. Similarly, a study highlighted by Investors.com found that intuitive decisions had a 91% success rate, proving that gut instincts can be a reliable tool when backed by experience.

For example, a seasoned chef instinctively knows which ingredients will create the perfect dish, based on years of experience. Likewise, experienced business leaders can sense market shifts before data confirms them because they rely on subtle cues and past insights. While intuition should be used alongside research, trusting your instincts can lead to smarter decisions, especially in areas you know well.

Practical Tips to Boost Confidence

Building confidence in decision-making is a gradual process that requires practice and self-awareness. Here are some practical tips to help boost your confidence:

  • Reflect on Past Successes: Think back on past decisions that turned out well. Reflecting on these moments helps remind you of your ability to make good choices. It can also help you see patterns or strategies that worked, so you can apply them in the future.
  • Visualize Success: Picture the positive outcome you want to achieve and imagine how you’ll feel once it happens. Visualization helps build a mental image of success, which can motivate you to take action. It also makes the process feel more achievable and less daunting.
  • Celebrate Small Wins: Recognize and celebrate every good decision, no matter how small. Each step forward boosts your confidence and reinforces the idea that you are capable of making great choices. This builds momentum, and over time, these small wins lead to bigger successes.
  • Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself when making mistakes. Every decision is a learning opportunity, and viewing challenges as growth experiences helps maintain your confidence.
  • Surround Yourself with Support: Having a support system of friends, mentors, or colleagues can boost your confidence. Sharing your successes and challenges with others gives you perspective and encouragement when making tough choices.

By integrating these tips into your daily routine, you’ll start making decisions with more confidence and clarity.

Conclusion

Confident decision-making is a skill you can build with practice. By following the decision-making process, overcoming obstacles, applying the SELF-Control Strategy and trusting yourself, you’ll grow more assured with every choice. Each decision shapes your path, and with confidence, you’ll move closer to the life you want.

Take advantage of a 7-day free trial inside the Becoming Self-Made Community to sharpen your decision-making skills and find support on your journey.

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