You can make the right decision, or make the decision right

From analysis paralysis to forward momentum

Written by Jenna, Edited by Jess

Recently, my husband and I were considering a move. Each day, our thoughts about it were different. The excitement of a fresh start and good declutter sounded appealing. The anxiety of packing and leaving our familiar routine felt overwhelming. It quickly became an emotional tug-of-war!

No doubt decisions can be tough - even the small ones. Spend way too much time contemplating what to eat for dinner or what Netflix show to watch? Guilty as charged. We just want to get it right!

Life decisions are nuanced, as there is often uncertainty about what might be left on the table if we go with one choice over another.

I recently spoke with a student contemplating an internship offer. While excited, there were hesitations. Would accepting the role pigeonhole her into one area? Would it help her build the right skills compared to another opportunity? If things didn’t work out, could she pivot afterward?

This student is not alone. As high-achieving individuals, the urge to consider every possible angle and outcome is normal. But one of the biggest challenges in decision-making is that we rarely have the answers to such questions with 100% certainty. We don’t have a crystal ball to really know the ripple effects of one decision.

When we see students in this space of understandable analysis paralysis, trying to examine a decision from all sides, Jess and I often offer a gentle mantra we learned from an awesome former student (shout out to Nina!!): You can make the right decision, or make the decision right.

Harvard’s Dr. Ellen Langer recently spoke about this exact idea while a guest on The Mel Robbins podcast. In many ways, this powerful reframe takes some pressure off. Especially given the inherent risk in life choices. Rather than searching endlessly for the “perfect” choice, we can focus on how we engage with what comes after.

So how exactly can we “make the decision right?” Perhaps it’s by showing up authentically and consistently. By building support systems along the way. By staying curious and learning from what unfolds. By trusting that when the path twists, we can be nimble and change course.

A few weeks into contemplating our move, an unexpected opportunity for an apartment came up. In the competitive Los Angeles market, we had to act quickly. Seeing it as a sign from the universe, the decision was made. While it can feel scary to take a new leap, my husband and I reminded ourselves - we will make this decision right!

Next Steps:

• Think of a time when you made a decision without full certainty. What helped you make it right?

• Write down one decision you’ve been overthinking. Then spend 3 minutes reflecting on the following: What would “making this decision right” look like?