Decision-making

 I need assistance in making decisions about big changes in my life. I have the opportunity to go overseas as an exchange university student, I can move out of home and go to university here or stay living at home. I just don’t know how to make such a big decision that will have such a long-term affect on my life!

Making life-changing decisions can be scary but with some research, imagination and planning you can work out what will be best for you. There is a simple but effective technique you can use. You know what living at home is like, so therefore you do not need to explore that option.
Here is the decision-making process:

1. Write one option at the top of a piece of paper.

2. Brainstorm all of the elements you feel will exist in that decision. For example, financial issues, if you like being away from family or if the weather suits you. Make sure you create as clear a picture of what that decision will look like as you can.

3. Consider the feelings that will arise with each component. Financial difficulty may exist. Will being away from family make this harder to cope with? If you are going to a cold climate and you love the summer, will it make you feel depressed or will you embrace the new sports and adventures? If you are sick while away, will you have support and the funds to deal with it?

4. The next step is to live with that decision for a week. As you go through your weekly activities, imagine what it would be like if you were away from home.
Instead of dinner waiting on the table, you would have to shop for it and cook it. Bills would come to you, not your parents. If you play tennis at home you might be lucky enough to go skiing overseas. You would have the chance to try new things. For each element of your life, think about how it would be different with the new decision. Step into your imagination to get the feel for your environment with that decision.

5. Keep a diary of these choices and feelings. Pray about it and ask God to guide you. At the end of the week, make a decision. However, a final analysis cannot be made until you do the same process with the other option.

6. Go through this same process the following week for the other option. At the end of that week, analyse that decision.

7. The final step is to decide what best fits your life plan and what will be the most positive experience for you.

There’s no better way to make a thorough and clear decision about a major life-changing event. Make sure you also ask family and friends how they feel you would cope with changes with each decision.
Their opinions are important, as they know you from a different perspective.
Good luck!