One thing I’ve found to be helpful is first of help my client to identify their ‘whys ‘and then the ‘what’ that will take them there What they hope to accomplish and what needs to be done to get there Once this is laid Out clearly then we can begin taking necessary action to get there!!!

Decision-making is usually a pattern and is informed by a system of beliefs about : Ourselves The world Others . Helping a client clearly see the process they go through, ➡️ from a circumstance ➡️ to a thought ➡️ to a feeling and ➡️ what they do , will show how it works ...

Going back to core values and prioritising what really matters is the easiest yet effective thing to do when struggling with decision making, when you have all the things laid down in front of you, and you can make sense of what matters it becomes a piece of cake

Hesitation to make decisions occurs when the fear of the unknown is greater than the comfort of the known. Collect information by diving deep and understanding why the client chose to be a coachee, what drove and still drives them to make changes and listen to them describe their fear - the coach is there to help them identify their obstacles. Once the obstacles are identified, both coach and coachee know what they are working with (and against!) and it is much easier to collect the pros and cons of a decision. When the pros outweigh the cons, (or the other way around!) arriving at a decision will be much more effortless.

It helps to look at the issue from different perspectives. Four questions can help you with tough decisions. What will happen if you do? What will happen if you don't? What won't happen if you do? What won't happen if you don't? Somewhere within these 4 perspectives people tend to either find an answer than stands out, or that resonates with what feels right for them.

Early in my career, I struggled with a big decision until a mentor advised me to consider long-term impacts. This approach has since helped all my clients. Here’s how: Map Out the Impact: List the potential outcomes of each choice to clarify what each option entails. Look Beyond the Now: Consider how each decision will affect your life in the coming years, not immediately. Consider Who’s Affected: Reflect on how your choice will impact others and incorporate these effects into your decision-making. Own the Decision: Embrace the consequences of your choice, as doing so will help you find clarity and growth in the process.

Mind mapping or creating a list of pros and cons of each option is a great way to help clients in making well-informed decisions. By helping them visualize these potential results, clients can understand better how their decisions might impact their personal and professional life, in short and long term.

In my corporate career as an HR Leader, my boss once encouraged me to trust my intuition—a trait she saw great value in. It wasn’t until I studied decision-making deeply that I realized its true power. Recently, I guided a client who was stuck between two career options. Drawing from my experience, I helped her: Recall Past Wins: She reflected on instinct-driven successes. Quiet the Noise: We used mindfulness to tune out external influences. Feel the Choices: She visualized each option and noticed where she felt most at ease. Test the Waters: She took small steps to explore her options. Intuition isn’t just a feeling; it’s your compass to what truly resonates.

Encourage your client to pay attention to their gut feelings. While logic and data are key, intuition also plays a role. If a decision feels right, it might often resonate with their inner wisdom. Guide them to blend rational thinking with instinctual insights for a comprehensive approach in decision making.

It's common to feel some anxiety when making decisions, but decidophobia is an intense fear of choosing wrongly. I once coached a client paralyzed by fear while facing a big decision. Drawing from my own experiences, I helped her move forward by: Naming the Fear: Identifying the specific fear to make it less daunting. Reframing the Risk: Seeing the worst-case scenario wasn’t so scary after all. Focusing on the Why: Reconnecting with her core reasons to see beyond the fear. Taking Small Steps: Breaking the decision into manageable actions. Visualizing Success: Imagining the best outcome to boost her confidence. By confronting her fears, she made a clear and courageous choice. Fear is natural, but it doesn’t have to steer your choices.