How to make important choices? Once in a while each of us encounters a situation that involves a complicated and important choice. Perhaps it is related to family or work or where to live. Or maybe to all three. Or to something completely different. How should I make such a decision?

What I have found to help in these situations is to make a list of ALL the considerations that I may possibly have in favor or against each of the possible options. I try to make the list as comprehensive as possible. To leave nothing implicit. For example, a few years ago I had to choose between different career options, each of which involved living in a very different location. So I tried to account for the different implications of each choice for family members – closer and more distant. And work environment. And colleagues. And future career development opportunities. And “worse case” scenarios. And to my values, and things I hoped to accomplish. And weather. And many other things. Making the list made it much easier for me to make a choice. And it also helps to avoid regrets: you know that you made the best possible choice with everything laid out clearly on the table.

Any other ideas (besides throwing a coin, or other ways of letting the decision be made for you which some people prefer)?