A Guide to Making (Seemingly) Impossible Decisions
Making tough decisions can feel overwhelming when all the options have their merits and drawbacks.
This guide combines logic and intuition to help anyone navigate difficult choices with greater clarity and confidence. It has you evaluate options and also tap into your gut feelings for a more holistic approach.
Step 1: Define Your Options
Start by clearly identifying the options you’re considering. For each one, create a concise “elevator pitch” that summarizes its key benefits and potential positive outcomes. Think of this as selling the idea to yourself.
Directions:
- Write your pitches on paper, in a document on your device, or wherever you feel comfortable.
- There’s no limit to the number of options, but narrowing it down can help maintain focus.
- If the pitch isn’t convincing to you, refine it until it is.
- What Step 1 looks like
Step 2: Evaluate Your Options
Create a list of pros and cons for each option and assign a score of 1 (low importance), 2 (medium importance), or 3 (high importance) to each. This scoring helps quantify how significant each factor is to your decision.
Directions:
- Include as many pros and cons as you can think of — there’s no need to limit yourself to three.
- Focus on the factors that matter to you. If you’re unsure of what score to give an item, start with a 2 and adjust later if needed.
- What Step 2 looks like
Scoring:
- A positive Total Score indicates the pros outweigh the cons.
- A negative Total Score suggests the cons overshadow the pros.
- The option with the higher Total Score is likely the best decision.
Option 1: ___
Pros:
- Pro A — [Score]
- Pro B — [Score]
- Pro C — [Score]
Pro Score Calculation:
- Sum of pros: ___
- Number of pros: ___
- Pro Score (Sum ÷ Number): ___
Cons:
- Con A — [Score]
- Con B — [Score]
- Con C — [Score]
Con Score Calculation:
- Sum of cons: ___
- Number of cons: ___
- Con Score (Sum ÷ Number): ___
Total Score:
- Pro Score — Con Score = ___
Option 2: ___
Pros:
- Pro A — [Score]
- Pro B — [Score]
- Pro C — [Score]
Pro Score Calculation:
- Sum of pros: ___
- Number of pros: ___
- Pro Score (Sum ÷ Number): ___
Cons:
- Con A — [Score]
- Con B — [Score]
- Con C — [Score]
Con Score Calculation:
- Sum of cons: ___
- Number of cons: ___
- Con Score (Sum ÷ Number): ___
Total Score:
- Pro Score — Con Score = ___
Highest Total Score: Option ___
Step 3: Visualization
Even with the best data, decisions often come down to intuition. This visualization exercise helps tap into your gut feelings.
Directions:
- Find a quiet space where you can sit comfortably and relax.
- Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths.
- Picture yourself on a beach, standing before a calm ocean.
- On the horizon, you see two moons: The moon on the left represents Option 1. The moon on the right represents Option 2.
- Take a moment to observe the moons. Ask yourself: Which moon feels bigger and brighter? Which one draws my attention more?
Results:
Whichever moon appears bigger and brighter to you illuminates the path toward the best decision. For example, if the moon on the left captures more of your attention, Option 1 may be the most compelling choice.
Final Decision
If both the Total Score and the visualization point to the same option, you can feel confident moving forward. However, if they suggest different paths, give yourself time to reflect. Revisit this process after a few days if needed, and don’t rush to decide unless a deadline requires it.
What the complete process looks like
Sometimes the act of going through this process brings new clarity. Pay attention to insights or feelings that emerge as you work through the steps. By combining a structured evaluation with intuitive guidance, you can approach (seemingly) impossible decisions with confidence.
This is one of the exercises I use with my Hexis Coaching clients, guiding them to take clear, actionable steps toward becoming their best selves.