How to Stop Making Bad Decisions

I saw the funniest sign, but it wasn’t funny for long because I started to think about it. Suddenly the humor melted away. The sign read: Everything happens for a reason. Sometimes the reason is you’re stupid and make bad decisions.

Ouch! Those 15 words hit hard because I’ve made more than my share of bad money decisions in my life. 

I’ve come a long way from that dark season of my life. I am determined not go back, but also to not live with regret for what might have been.

Instead of living with my eyes on the rearview mirror, I want to stay focused on the present with eyes toward the future. Which begs the question: How can we stop making bad decisions when it comes to money and personal finance?

Get smart

Despite the fact that research from the University of British Columbia released in November 2013 found the smallest part of the human brain is integral in the decision-making process, and the fact that we do seem to repeat our mistakes, it is possible to become a better decision-maker.

With practice, awareness, and a bit of tender loving care for yourself, you can learn to make better choices. 

Time out

I’ve discovered for myself a simple way to avoid bad financial decisions. I impose a minimum 24-hour rule where I have to go into “time out.” That means I have to leave the store, turn off the computer, put the decision on the back burner for at least one full day and night. You cannot believe how that stops me in my tracks. And more times than not, after 24 hours I’ve nearly forgotten what it was that captured my attention. Situations that indeed require a wise decision find more clarity following a period of time out.

Check your history

Sift back through your memory when you were faced with something similar to the thing you’re facing now. Review what happened. If it turned out to be a bad decision—what led up to that? History does repeat itself, but you can change the way you will make this decision. You don’t have to be dumb this time just because that’s how things went the last time. The past is over but the future is still open for discussion.

Look inside

I know for myself that when I am overly tired or hungry, I make really bad decisions. I can’t think straight. I’m prone to compulsiveness. Knowing this, I have a pretty hard and fast rule: I refuse to make decisions once the sun has gone down. Then in the morning I take a deep breath, address my stress level, and then move forward cautiously.

Seek counsel

Unless this decision you are looking at is very personal, very private—call a friend; take your dad out for coffee. Find someone you respect who will listen and then offer his or her best advice. You don’t have to take it, but chances are pretty good that whatever it is, it will help you to see the picture more clearly.

The best thing about a bad decision is that you can learn from it and apply that lesson to the decisions you will make next time.

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