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How to Take Difficult Decisions?

Jennifer McLynch
How do you cope with the stress of taking a difficult decision? Here we provide some help.
We have all been at a point in our lives, where we have to take a difficult decision, and we just don't know how. We spend countless hours thinking about it, contemplating all the options, and trying to sort out all the complex emotions that go along with the decision.
We make pro and con lists, go for long walks, or write down our feelings; until we come to a place where we can be comfortable with the choice that we have made. The question is, how can you be sure that you are doing the right thing, and how can you possibly understand the outcome of something that is as unpredictable as life itself?

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The truth is, there is no right or wrong way to decide, and despite your attempt to predict the outcome, there are so many variables in life, that it is nearly impossible to know where your path will take you.
The only thing you can do is to go with your instincts, and do what you feel is right. It sounds simple, but taking a decision can be a difficult process, especially if you are dealing with a situation that is very emotional. So what can make this easier? Time and patience.
Having patience is one of the most difficult things to do. We want to believe that we are in control, that we have all the answers, and that we are strong; but when we are overrun with stress we can sometimes feel weak, which can be a very difficult emotion for many people.
If you're going to get through this though, you need to be patient, and allow yourself to understand both the impact of the decision, and the potential outcome. You need time to understand it to its fullest, and to come to a point where you can feel confident, that the choice you are making is the right one.
So besides time and patience, what can help you get through this? There is no one way to handle the stress of taking a big decision, but there may be ways to ease the tension. Exercise not only releases physical tension, but emotional tension as well.
Whenever you have any kind of stress, go to the gym, take a yoga class, or go for a brisk walk. It will do more than just making you feel better physically, and give you time that is just for you - with no one else around - to tackle even a small portion of the array of thoughts running through your head.
It's true that you may not be able to tackle the entire problem in that 30-minute workout, but you will at least be able to understand, a portion of the problem a little better. This is the key to deal with it.
Don't try to tackle the entire decision all at once. Pick it up, little by little until you have finally gone through all the aspects of your choice. Eventually you will gain a better understanding of the situation as a whole, and you will be able to decide with a clearer mind.
If not exercise, try reading, writing, drawing, crafts, or even shopping. Whatever it takes for you, to have a free moment to yourself to tackle the situation is what you need to do.
Give yourself the time to work it out, in your mind. You will probably be more satisfied with your decision, if you feel that you understand it completely.
Do not fret over how long it will take . This process is different for everyone, so it is impossible to estimate a time frame. It's best to eliminate the timeline from the equation completely, because it is unfair and unrealistic to give yourself a deadline, when you are going through something that will affect the rest of your life.
Take as much time as you need, and you will probably feel more confident with the decision in the long run. The correct path that we should take is not always clearly laid out before us. Sometimes we need to take a moment to stop, pause, and reflect on something before we can move forward; and there is nothing wrong with that.
Patience is probably the most difficult part of this process, but it is the key to taking a good decision, that is well thought upon. Don't give up, and you will find the strength within yourself to make a choice that you will be happy with for the rest of your life.