This is an excerpt from my upcoming course and book, Fully Convinced: The Art of Decision Making. 

The average adult makes 35,000 decisions every day. Most of these are minor issues like what cup to choose for coffee. Other choices are more important (e.g. where to live, major financial purchases, etc.). We even make decisions about what to believe about who we are and the significance of what we are doing. Decision-making is a big part of our lives. Even if we don’t feel like we are successful in making decisions, the good news is you can develop greater skills in making the choices that lead to blessing and increase.

There are two extremes in the kinds of people who make decisions. The first is the impulsive, feeling-based decision-maker. They are passionate and wholehearted, but often do not consider the consequences of their choices because they are only concerned about being happy now. Certainly, there are positive aspects of a quick decision-maker (consider Peter getting out of the boat and walking on water), but it can create a lot of problems if we are primarily feelings-based deciders.  On the other extreme is what I would call the religious mindset decision-maker. These are sincere people who walk in regular double-mindedness and doubt because of a haunting feeling that their decisions might be wrong and displeasing to God. They have a fear of punishment mindset. Both of these extremes can be overcome and healed.

Here are six traits of incredible decision-makers that will help you overcome hurtful habits in how you choose, but, more importantly, will help you make powerful choices that help catapult you into your highest potential in life. 

1. 
   Incredible decision-makers base their decisions on the Bible and its core values – The Bible is the “owner’s manual” for life. I have never followed God’s clear direction and regretted it. Certainly, there can be short-term discomfort in choosing God’s wisdom, but there is a long-lasting blessing. And not following God’s core values can have pleasure for a season (Hebrews 11:25), but it creates long-lasting problems. The Book of Proverbs is a great place to start for understanding wisdom and His core values for successful living.
2. Incredible decision-makers believe they are good decision-makers – We cannot consistently do what we don’t believe we are. The Bible says we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16), and I can safely say that means we have the DNA of a great and healthy person in decision-making. The nature of faith is that we believe before we see. As we declare things like “I always know what to do and have incredible grace to follow through”, we will build the identity needed for life-launching decisions.
3. Incredible decision-makers know when not to make a decision – They understand to not make major conclusions or decisions when angry, lonely, tired, hungry, emotional, or without considering the consequences of choices.
4. Incredible decision-makers include the right people in their decision-making – “There is wisdom in a multitude of counselors” (Proverbs 15:22). “He who walks with the wise will be wise” (Proverbs 13:20). Our choice of friends and who we allow to influence us will dramatically affect the type of decisions we make. If we only hang out with turkeys, we will make turkey decisions. If we are connected with eagles who have a track record of making wise choices, then we will be much more prone to make very good choices. Also, in every situation possible, it is wise to include in the decision-making process those who will be impacted by what is decided. Their “buy-in” will help your relationships be strong.
5. Incredible decision-makers clarify their options and have a story from God for what they decide to do – It is important to list the potential options for what we can believe or do. Under each option, list the pros and cons of that direction, plus what key people in your life are saying. Then add “God stories” that occur for each option (dreams, prophetic words, unusual coincidences, etc.). “And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’ Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them” (Acts 16:9-10). Paul concluded he was to go to Macedonia because of his God story. We are to conclude in a similar way. And the greater the risk we take in life, then the more powerful our God stories need to be. (And a note here: When I am communicating with others what I conclude God is leading me to do, I prefer saying “I believe God told me,” rather than “God told me.” It is hard to give constructive feedback to people who overuse the “God said” card.)
6. Incredible decision-makers learn to make decisions in faith – Romans 14:5 says “One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.” Once we have gone through a good process in making a decision and have clarified our options, then we attach faith to the option we have concluded is to be done. In my relationship with God, I tell Him that He can change my mind through another God story, but until He does, I am going to move forward being fully convinced (attaching faith to the decision) with what I have concluded. 

Good decision-makers aren’t simply trying to avoid bad decisions, but, more importantly, they believe they are going to make catalytic decisions that will dramatically and positively impact their lives, their descendants, and their nation.