Every day, there are choices to make. If you try, you can probably think of many many daily decisions you have to make. One tiny choice can make a huge difference, so it’s important to be cautious about what the world has to offer you. Ken Levine said, “We all make choices, but in the end, our choices make us.” That’s why I wrote this post, why choices are important and how you can make the best choice.

 

Heavenly Father gave us the power to choose, or agency, to test our faith. He wants us to choose the right, but He also wants us to have freedom to choose.

It’s important to remember that life is not about avoiding making bad decisions, but making good ones. Then, you must choose between good, better, or, (the most preferable), best. If you choose the BEST option, everyone (including you) will benefit from it.

Dallin H. Oaks states, “We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families.”

Here are some pointers to make the best decisions:

1. Just because it’s good, doesn’t mean you should choose it !  There is an array of choices before you, many of them being good and wholesome, but we must focus on our top priority. Jesus Christ pointed this out with Martha and Mary. Martha was fine, but Jesus Christ said that “Mary hath chosen the better part.”
2. Consider your options Consider and choose. What is the best choice that fits all your core values? Core values are values that make up who you are and what you stand for.
3.  Think about What You’re Going to do It’s important to consider your decision. What will be the outcome, or consequences? Will the consequence be good or bad? Will it give you relief and happiness, or anguish and worry? For example, if you were to lie, you would most likely feel worried and queasy.
4. Don’t make decisions when you are over-excited, angry, or sad You are likely to regret decisions you make when you are overcome with certain emotions. 
5. Identify Your Priorities (and values) And Base Your Choices on them A priority is what is most important to you. Identify it and base your choices on your priorities. My mom taught Elisha and I about priorities by asking us what we liked better: Pizza or Ice Cream? We each chose different things. She explained each of our choices were more important to us, therefore they were our priorities. Roy Disney said, “It’s not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are.” 

Elisha and I have a decision making formula called STOP: Stop and Think about your Options, then Priorities. You can remember this strategy and use it with big and small decisions.

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