Problem solving is a way of life, the only way we don’t have problems and challenges is when we’re dead and I don’t think that is what we are looking for! It’s important to have challenges because this is how we grow, learn and develop. So how in this fast-paced world, as a leader, mentor, manager, business owner, care-giver and parent do we tackle problems and challenges?

Avoid stress

Whether in our professional careers or personal lives, most people naturally shy away from making hard and difficult decisions. It’s human nature. When faced with uncertainty, high stakes, or competing priorities, we often hesitate, overthink, or delay action altogether. This avoidance can lead to stress, anxiety, and perhaps most commonly, procrastination. The longer a decision lingers unresolved, the heavier it tends to feel.

One of the greatest obstacles to decision-making is uncertainty. Very few decisions come with a guaranteed outcome or complete information. We rarely have the luxury of seeing the full picture before committing to a choice. Instead, we operate with unknowns, assumptions, and probabilities. This ambiguity can be uncomfortable, even paralyzing. My dad always used to say to me that it’s all well and good when we have hindsight. We work with what we have at that time and make decisions based on the information we have at that moment.

Manage uncertainty

While uncertainty cannot be eliminated, it can be managed. One of the most effective ways to do this is through planning. Thoughtful planning allows decisions to be made more comfortably and intelligently, transforming what feels like a risky leap into a calculated step forward. In other words, we don’t jump in and make a rash decision, we base it on the information, all the information, we have at that time. When we emigrated to America, we asked questions, asked advice and sat down and really worked through as many possibilities as we could think of. It turned out to be one of the best decisions we made.

Why Decisions Feel Overwhelming

Difficult decisions often involve trade-offs. Choosing one path usually means giving up another, and that sense of loss whether it is real or perceived can weigh heavily on us. I understood this when I was part of a yearlong leadership program when we were all passionate about certain projects and causes. All the projects were extremely important, yet not all could be tackled that year. The budget just didn’t allow for it.

Making the wrong choice can be fearful. Making the right choice can also be fearful, I know it was for us when we emigrated. Do we stay where we know, stay with family and friends, where our kids are comfortable, or do we make a move that leaves all that behind. It’s easy to see why many people delay decisions or avoid them altogether.

4 Common emotional factors

  1. Fear of failure: What if the decision leads to a bad outcome?
  2. Fear of regret: What if another option would have been better?
  3. Information overload: Too many variables can make it hard to decide.
  4. Perfectionism: Waiting for the perfect decision, which rarely exists.

The reality is that very few decisions come with absolute certainty. Accepting this is the first step toward becoming more decisive. Instead of striving for perfect clarity, the goal should be to make informed, thoughtful choices based on the best available information. Using trusted and capable people as a team can help in the decision-making process.

Planning to Achieve Better Decisions

Planning doesn’t eliminate uncertainty, but it can significantly reduce its impact. When we take the time to organize our thoughts, identify key factors, and evaluate possible outcomes, we create a framework that supports clearer and open-minded thinking. For us, our planning came in deciding where the best schools were for the kids. We also set a milage distance as to how far would be an acceptable commute. We even did the commute in rush hour to see if it was sustainable. These priorities helped us decide on where we should live.

4 Ways Planning helps

  1. Clarifies priorities: What truly matters in this decision?
  2. Identifies risks: What could go wrong, and how likely is it?
  3. Highlights opportunities: What are the potential benefits and red flags?
  4. Provides structure: Creates a step-by-step approach which reduces overwhelm.

Rather than reacting emotionally, planning promotes a more rational and balanced perspective. It allows us to step back, assess the situation objectively, and move forward with greater confidence.

Importance of Keeping Records

A highly valuable practice is to keep records of significant decisions. This doesn’t need to be overly complicated, just simple, documented notes, especially with a team approach. We chose to take photos so that it helped us remember. The key is to capture not just the decision itself, but also the reasoning behind it. This practice turns decision-making into a continuous learning process rather than a series of isolated events, it’s researching.

4 important reasons

  1. Learning from experience: Reviewing past decisions to see what worked and what didn’t. It’s a great training tool.
  2. Improving judgment: Patterns can emerge, which helps refine the decision-making process.
  3. Reduces second-guessing: When we remember why we made a particular choice, it’s easier to stand by it.
  4. Builds confidence: Seeing a track record of thoughtful decisions reinforces trust in our own judgment.

Useful information to consider in record keeping

  • The situation or problem
  • Notes or photos to help remember
  • The options considered
  • The pros and cons of each option
  • The final decision
  • The reasoning behind the choice
  • The end result

Using a Decision Matrix

When faced with a particularly complex decision, especially one with multiple strong options, a decision matrix can be an incredibly useful tool. This structured approach helps evaluate the options based on specific criteria, rather than relying solely on intuition. When I have spoken on this subject at events, I have been truly delighted when the audience have connected back with me to say how it helped them in making an important decision.

Use a decision matrix when:

  • There is no obvious best option
  • Multiple factors need to be considered
  • Several alternatives are equally appealing

How to Create a Decision Matrix

  1. List options: Write down all the possible options to be considered.
  2. Criteria: Identify the factors that matter most (e.g., cost, time, location).
  3. Evaluate importance : Not all criteria are equally important. Assign a numerical level of importance to each factor. An example might be that location is more important than cost.
  4. Rate options: Rate how well each option meets each criterion.
  5. Calculate totals: Multiply scores by weights and add them up for each option.

The result might be clear, a numerical comparison that highlights which option best aligns with the priorities. This doesn’t mean you will automatically choose this option, the key here is that by actually thinking about the decision, you have gone through a deeper thinking process. Emotionally another option might be more suited, this is where asking advice or having a trusted team can be helpful.

Power of Pros and Cons

Sometimes, even simple pros and cons can bring surprising clarity. While it may seem basic, writing things down enables us to organize our thoughts and think deeper on each option. When creating a pros and cons list, be honest and thorough. Focusing on the obvious points, it’s important to dig deeper into the less apparent consequences.

For example, imagine you’re deciding whether to take a new job:

Pros:

  • Higher salary
  • New challenges and growth opportunities
  • Better long-term career prospects

Cons:

  • Longer commute
  • Less flexible schedule
  • Leaving a familiar and comfortable environment

Seeing these factors laid out can make the decision feel more tangible and manageable. It also helps identify which factors carry the most emotional or practical weight.

Take Action

One of the biggest risks in decision-making is getting stuck in analysis paralysis. While planning and evaluation are important, there comes a point where action needs to happen.

4 strategies to move forward

  1. Set a deadline: Create a reasonable timeframe to decide.
  2. Limit information gathering: Too much information can be just as problematic as too little.
  3. Accept imperfection: There is rarely a perfect choice, only the best one available at that time.
  4. Trust the process: If you’ve done the work, trust the outcome.

Taking action doesn’t mean eliminating risk. Accept it as being part of the process.

Building Confidence in Decision Making

Confidence in decision-making is not something that we’re born with, we gain experience and it builds over time. Each decision made, whether successful or not, contributes to our experience and growth.

Build confidence

  • Reflect on past decisions and what has been learned
  • Recognize that mistakes are part of the process
  • Focus on progress instead of perfection
  • Develop a consistent decision-making framework

The more we practice making thoughtful decisions, the more natural and less intimidating the process becomes.

Embrace Uncertainty

Uncertainty is not something to fear, it’s something to expect. Most meaningful decisions carry some risk, and that’s what can make growth possible. If every outcome was guaranteed, there would be little opportunity for learning or improvement. Many great ideas have not come into fruition because a decision wasn’t made in the first place.

Instead of trying to eliminate uncertainty, seek to become more comfortable with it. Planning, recording the decisions, and using tools like a decision matrix with a pros-and-cons list all help create a sense of control in situations that might otherwise feel unpredictable.

Getting Started

Think of a decision you’ve been putting off, something that feels difficult or unclear. Take a few minutes to work through the following steps:

  1. Write down the decision you want to make
  2. List all possible options
  3. Create a pros and cons list for each option
  4. Identify the factors that matter most
  5. Consider using a decision matrix
  6. Set a deadline for making the decision

This exercise doesn’t guarantee a perfect outcome, but it will give clarity and momentum.

Get Your Free Decision Matrix Template

Making hard decisions is not often easy, but avoiding them only prolongs discomfort and uncertainty. By embracing planning, documenting the reasoning, and using structured tools like a decision matrix, we can approach even the toughest choices with greater confidence and clarity. Decision making is a skill and one that improves with practice, reflection, and intention. You don’t need perfect information to make a good decision. You just need a thoughtful process and the willingness to move forward despite uncertainty.