Making Decisions Well

Peacefully, Prayerfully, and Confidently

We’ve talked a bit about what makes a decision good, but what about what makes me a good decision maker? What makes for a good making of the decision, or to be a bit of a grammar nerd, how can I make good decisions well?

First, we have to define what “well” means. Although there might be some variations, I think most of us would say that making a decision well means making it peacefully, prayerfully, and confidently. Without much stress, without much hand-wringing, without much tossing and turning and sleepless nights. 

Just for a minute, picture it: the next time you’re faced with a decision - what meal to order at a restaurant, where to live, how to school your children, what job to take - imagine that you move through that decision-making process peacefully, prayerfully, and confidently. How does that sound? 

Ten years ago, that would have sounded foreign to me. Does it sound foreign to you? Are you a champion hand-wringer? I definitely used to be one. But recently my husband and I made a big decision and it was weirdly anti-climatic. This is a decision that even five years ago I would have made myself sick over, worrying and weighing up everything and honestly just stressing out because it felt so big. 

But after that anti-climactic moment, I realized that actually, I’m not merely working with clients and writing essays and giving talks (which I love!) In fact, I have been putting all this discernment and decision making learning to good use in my own life! It was a comforting thought, so I wanted to share more about this big decision and reflect a bit on how I think we made this decision well.