# Making tough decisions: What's your go-to approach? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 7, 2024, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-tough-decisions-whats-your-go-to-approach/998571 "2024-03-07T07:46:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Newtosite](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/newtosite/32/8623_2.png) [@Newtosite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Newtosite)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-tough-decisions-whats-your-go-to-approach/998571/21 "2024-03-08T09:55:56Z")
I do copious research, thinking up with esoteric questions even the experts don’t know the answers to. I keep thinking I need more information. Ultimately, I usually don’t make any decision at all because I’m overwhelmed. ---
**Author:** ![NegativeZer0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/negativezer0/32/14307_2.png) [@NegativeZer0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NegativeZer0)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2024, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-tough-decisions-whats-your-go-to-approach/998571/22 "2024-03-22T18:32:59Z")
I usually sit and wallow over it in my head for a long, long time… Then eventually write, or type, it all out as a way to vent and just get it OUT of my head and somewhere else. I like to consult other people who have been in similar situations, or have wrestled with similar decisions, and se their perspective. I like to know their history, what they did to figure out the decision, and how their life changed afterwards. It’s all hard man. Decisions, thinking, analyzing, feeling. It’s tough. ---
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2024, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-tough-decisions-whats-your-go-to-approach/998571/23 "2024-03-22T19:37:46Z")
I write it all out and then read it again later. Can’t remember if it was Hemingway who said something like, “I write so I know what I think.” That’s exactly my process. In fact, I did it today while making a very major decision. Not fun, but I think I did the right thing. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2024, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-tough-decisions-whats-your-go-to-approach/998571/24 "2024-03-22T19:55:00Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > My wife is another process and as a long time married man I will usually just go along … > > For myself a major principle is defaulting to the option that leaves the most future options open. Precisely that. Both points. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2024, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-tough-decisions-whats-your-go-to-approach/998571/25 "2024-04-01T19:22:12Z")
Put it off as long as possible unless that causes harm. That gives me more time to think both consciously and subconsciously about it, often after days/weeks things aren’t as big of a deal or things have changed by then. Educate myself as much as possible so I can make an informed decision. Occasionally if something is way out of my expertise I will ask someone their opinion, but I don’t resolve to follow their advice just listen to them. ---
**Author:** ![Briny\_Deep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/briny_deep/32/17188_2.png) [@Briny\_Deep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Briny_Deep)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2024, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-tough-decisions-whats-your-go-to-approach/998571/26 "2024-04-01T19:49:34Z")
> [@saje](#): > > Generally all of the above, in rotation. And as a final clincher a coin toss; when it’s in the air and you’re really hoping it lands Heads, you know that’s your choice. Hilarious, I came in to say more or less this. I find the result of the toss sometimes lets me know how I truly feel about the question. Then of course, I abide by the coin’s decision because I’d promised it I would. 😉 ETA: what @Hari_Seldon said; that’s exactly it. ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-tough-decisions-whats-your-go-to-approach/998571/27 "2024-04-02T01:29:38Z")
Pros and cons, often with dollar values of how much each issue is worth to me. Talking with a select few friends whose opinions I value. Posting in discussion forums, usually ones devoted to the relevant subject. Revisiting over time. Maybe this is “sleeping on it”. I like the Persian suggestion above that calls for sober and drunken evaluations (though I don’t drink so can’t use that one). At some point I make a smaller decision that I’ve put enough effort into it, and go with the option that’s leading. I generally feel good about the choice I made, and don’t spend much time rethinking. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-tough-decisions-whats-your-go-to-approach/998571.md?page=1)