I can’t count the number of times I’ve had to make a decision that made me feel nervous, especially if it is something that could potentially affect the rest of my life. Sometimes, even minor decisions can fill you with anxiety when you start to consider all the things that could possibly go wrong.

It’s very common for people to constantly swing from one choice to another when making a decision, but how do you know that you are making the right decision? Sometimes, making the right choice is an obvious answer, but that’s not always the case.

Being able to properly make decisions revolves around being able to sort through all the pros and cons to a situation. You’ll need to weigh the outcome of each possibility, and today, I’m going to help you figure it all out.

• What will I gain in this situation?

Whenever there’s more than one choice, the first question you’re likely to ask yourself is what you will gain by choosing this option. You may even be willing to risk a little more if the payoff is a larger reward.

• What will I lose in this situation?

The flip side of the coin is considering your options with regards to loss. What will happen if this option doesn’t work out? No one really likes to think about the negative side of things, but if you’re going to make an informed decision, this is a very important step. A little bit of foresight now, could save you a huge headache in the future!

• What’s the worst case scenario?

This takes the second thought one step further. What is the worst possible outcome if you choose this option? And more importantly, can you accept the consequences that will come with that option? This is a very effective way to look at the decision making process and clarify your questions. If there’s no way you could stand the possible consequences to a decision, then you can scratch that possibility off your list – it just isn’t going to be a viable option for you.

So what happens if at the end of these questions, your pro list is just as lengthy as your con list? At this point, you’ll need to put your trust in yourself. What’s your first instinct? There are never going to be any guarantees when it comes to making a decision. If you find yourself in a situation where you have made a mistake, and have chosen incorrectly, try to remember this: “A mistake is only a mistake when you don’t learn from it.”