How to Make Tough Decisions for Yourself

culled from:wikihow.com

Steps

1

Draw five columns on a sheet of paper, held horizontally (landscape). 

 

1. 
   2
   Label the columns from left to right:

   1. "+" Score
   2. Positives
   3. What I'm Deciding to Change
   4. Negatives
   5. "-" Score.
2. 
   3
   In Column 3, "What I'm Deciding to Change," write the decision you are struggling to make.

   • For example:
     • "Go to College"
     • "Buy a New Car"
     • "Find a New Job."
3. 
   4
   In Column 2, list the Positive things you would expect to happen by making this change.
4. 
   5
   In Column 4, list the Negative things you would expect to happen by making this change.
5. 
   6
   List an equal number of "Positives" and "Negatives" if possible.
6. 
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   In Column 1, assign a score from 1 to 10 to all the Positives you listed in Column 2, where 1 is not-very strong and 10 is very strong.
7. 
   8
   Sum the score in Column 1.
8. 
   9
   In Column 5, assign a score from 1 to 10 to all the Negatives you listed in Column 4, where 1 is not-very strong and 10 is very strong.
9. 
   10
   Sum the score in Column 5.
10. 
    11
    Subtract the sum of Column 5 (negative reasons) from the sum Column 1 (positive reasons).
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    If you get a Positive number after subtracting, and your gut tells you that the change is GOOD, decide to change.
12. 
    13
    If you get a Negative number, and your gut tells you the change is NOT GOOD, decide not to change.
13. 
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    If you get a Negative number but your gut argues with you and tells you the change would be GOOD, create an action plan to reduce the Negative reasons or increase the Positive reasons.
14. 
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    Reduce the impact of as many Negative reasons as you can in preparation for making the change.

    • For example, if one of your Negative reasons is: "Not enough money for tuition," investigate ways to get money for tuition such as:
      • apply for scholarships
      • get a part time job
      • find a less expensive school
      • go to school part-time while you work full time
15. 
    16
    Set a goal to make the change at a future date, allowing time for you to reduce some of the negatives.
16. 
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    Do this exercise again after you have reduced some of the Negative reasons or found more positive reasons.
17. 
    18
    When you get a positive number that you trust, make the change.