Making decisions can be one of the hardest things we do. When we have to make a choice, it’s easy to get stuck because of fear that we might choose the wrong one. This “analysis paralysis” causes us to waste a lot of time and energy and keeps us busy rethinking our options and replaying our decisions over and over again. But it doesn’t have to be that way. A decision-making framework is a systematic approach that allows us to filter our choices, narrow down our options, and confidently make a decision. By using a framework, we destroy analysis paralysis, save all that time and energy we would have spent frozen in fear or overwhelmed by options.

The Five Fs of Decision Making

The First F Stands for Faith

In any decision in life, it is most important to pray and look for answers in Scripture. James 1:5 tells us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

We have to trust that the God of the universe is working out something great in our lives. Knowing that, we have to continue to seek his wisdom and then stay the course.

The Second F Stands for Family

When making a decision, you have to ask, “How does this decision affect my family?” If you’re married, what does your spouse say? Are you in agreement? I’ll tell you, there have been many decisions in my life where I prayed Mark would be my “no.” After I pray about a decision and feel God’s leading, I take the topic to my husband. We talk about the impact on our family and he can add his thoughts.

The Third F Stands for Future

When evaluating a choice, it is important to think about the future you. Does this decision seem to be leading you to who you want to become in the future and how you want to grow as a person? I like to ask myself what “future Alli” will think about decisions. When I think of what “future Alli” will be happy with, it makes decision making much easier. When I don’t have a lot of time to think about the future impact of a decision, I rely on the 10 – 10 – 10 process. Just ask yourself how you will feel about your decision after 10 minutes, 10 months, and 10 years. That can be about big decisions like taking a certain job or it can be as simple as eating that extra piece of carrot cake or not.

The Fourth F Stand for Fulfillment

When making big decisions, it’s important to ask yourself what makes you feel fulfilled. Your passions and talents give you a clue into what you were created to do, and they help you make sure you’re not living life bound by the things you think you “should” do.

The Fifth F Stands for Friends

When making big decisions, wise counsel from friends and mentors is always smart. I often lean on friends who are trustworthy, who have my best interests at heart, and whose own lives bear the fruit of wise decision making. I don’t ask everyone publicly on Facebook to weigh in on all the big decisions of my life. I try to focus on three or four of the wisest friends I have and ask them for their thoughts on the matter.

Finding our confidence in a world of choices requires a framework for good decision making. But ultimately, good decision making requires us to remember and lean on the One who we have placed our confidence in in the first place.

* * *

Visit AlliWorthington.com/Breaking-Busy to get the FREE digital toolkit and access the 5 F's Decision-Making Framework worksheet

Excerpted with permission from Breaking Busy: How to Find Peace & Purpose in a World Full of Crazy (Zondervan) by Alli Worthington, copyright 2016 Alli Worthington.

Let's Chat

Do you feel like you waste a lot of time and energy making decisions (or worrying over them)? Would you describe yourself an over-thinker, procrastinator, slow to act, perfectionist, or plagued by analysis paralysis? If so, you're not alone! Share your comments on today's lesson below!