7 Steps to Make Successful Decisions

With the beginning of a new year comes a bevy of new resolutions. Lose weight. Financial freedom. Take that long dream vacation. Whatever.

I used to be among the millions who pen a long list of new year resolutions. On January 1 I would have all the answers to make the new year my best yet.

Unfortunately, like most of my fellow resolvers, those answers turned to mere suggestions by February 1. The frustration of unconquered resolutions caused me to look inward and find the catalyst. What I found? Despite having an admirable list of resolutions, my decision making had not changed at all. In fact, the daily decisions I was making undermined the very things I’d chosen to resolve.

So, before you walk (or run) down the path of new year resolutions, stop. Take a breath. Improve your decision making so you won’t repeat the cycle of failed resolutions. Or take that dream vacation.

Here’s 7 steps (or questions) that continue to help me make successful decisions.

• Is this the best use of my money, time, and/or talents?
• How aligned is it with my (and my families) priorities?
• Is my spouse unified with my decision?
• Will I regret this decision years from now?
• What is the best outcome?
• Worst outcome?
• How likely is success?