You Make Terrible Decisions In Life Because of This

If you want to make correct decisions, fix this

Did you know that the average person makes around 35,000 decisions every single day?

It’s true.

But not all decisions are created equal.

Some of them can have serious and far-reaching consequences if they go wrong.

Maybe it was something as small as overspending at the store, or something much bigger, like making a career/relationship move that didn’t work out.

No matter the size of the decision, bad decisions can lead to regret and frustration.

To avoid them, it’s important to become aware of our decision-making process and why we make bad decisions in life.

Now, I am not talking about the usual suspects like impulsivity or lack of information. No, no, no. The internet is flooded with those reasons.

I’m talking about the uncommon reasons. The ones that are not often discussed.

Reason #1: You have a nearsightedness vision

Now, I ain’t gonna lie; I’ve been guilty of this one myself. You see a shiny object, a quick fix, and you go for it without thinkin’ about the long-term consequences.

Like that time, I bought a brand new Lexus on a whim without considering the payments I’d have to make for the next five years.

That was a bad move.

And it isn’t just about money. It could be anything — a relationship, a job, a move. Whatever it is, if you’re too focused on the short-term, chances are you’ll make a bad decision.

The key is to step back and think about the long-term effects of your decision.

Here’s my brainstorming calculator:

Step 1: Ask yourself, “What will happen if I make this decision?”

Step 2: Think about the long-term effects. Will it be worth it in 5 years, or will you regret it?

Step 3: Make an informed decision based on your reasonings. The more you reason, the better your decision will be.

Reason #2: The analysis paralysis: You’re mentally exhausted exploring and brainstorming options.

Last year, I lost a 50k writing deal. I over-brainstormed.

I was stuck in this loop of ‘what ifs’, and I just couldn’t seem to break out of it.

I spun my wheels too much, trying to think of every single possibility, and then when I had to make a decision, I was so mentally exhausted that I made the wrong one.

So if you’re in a similar situation and you can’t seem to break out of the loop, take a step back.

Take a few deep breaths and remind yourself that it’s OK to make mistakes.

Remember, brainstorming is an important part of the decision-making process, but you don’t have to exhaust yourself from doing it.

Give yourself some time to relax and refocus.

Reason #3: You think from people’s perspective

No, no, I am not talking about pleasing people with your decision.

I’m talking about when you make a decision based on what other people would do in your situation, which is not always the best move.

You might be thinking, “Well, if John were in my situation, he’d probably say yes to this offer.” But just because it’s what someone else would do doesn’t mean it’s the right move for you.

Just because John might say yes, doesn’t make it the right decision for YOU to make.

You need to reflect and ask yourself if this is really the best thing for you.

Remember, your decision-making process should always be about , so don’t let the opinions of others cloud your judgment.

Reason #4: Your emotions intervene

Hey, we’re all human, and emotions are part of the decision-making process.

But if your emotions take over, that’s when you start to make bad decisions.

Let me give you an example.

Say someone says something hurtful about your work, and it affects you emotionally. If you let that emotion overtake you, you might make the wrong decision and quit your job.

That’s why it’s important to take a step back and ask yourself, “Is this emotion-driven, or is my decision based on facts?”

Reason #5: You’re too set in your ways

I don’t mean being stubborn, folks.

I’m talking about making decisions based on what’s always worked for you in the past.

It reminds me of a time when I decided to stick with the same rigorous running routine, even though my body was telling me I needed a change.

That was a bad decision. I permanently impaired my knee, never to be able to run like before.

It’s important to remember that times and circumstances change, and what worked for you before might not work now.

If you don’t change your habits on time, then those habits will change your time.

You know what I mean?

Be it arrogance, unhealthy lifestyle habits, or just plain laziness, bad decisions will always catch up with you.

It is important to become aware of our decision-making process in order to prevent them and make better choices in life.

Final Thoughts

There’s no such thing as a bad decision.

One decision leads to another and creates a cascading effect.

If at any point you feel your particular decision isn’t working out for you, don’t be afraid to change it.

Take the time to analyze your decision-making process, become aware of why you’re making bad decisions, and take steps to correct them. That’s how you make better choices in life.

After all, if you want to reach success in this world, then being conscious about your decisions is key!

Now, I would love to hear from you — What are some other uncommon reasons for making bad decisions in life? Share them in the responses below!