Many people rush important decisions or conclude too quickly and with too little information. One psychological mechanism that produces premature decisions is called "cognitive dissonance." When people have multiple options concerning a course of action, they have to consider the potential positive and negative ramifications of each choice. Remaining in a state of uncertainty can produce frustration and anxiety. The human brain naturally prefers clarity to ambiguity, so most people have a strong psychological incentive to decide quickly; however, in order to make the best decision possible, it's often necessary to exercise patience. Take the time to thoroughly consider your options and reach a well-reasoned conclusion.
Another psychological mechanism that can get in the way of sound critical thinking and decision making is the confirmation bias. The confirmation bias is a human tendency to seek out and emphasize information that confirms preexisting prejudices, biases or decisions. If a person has already decided to buy a new home in a particular neighborhood, he will seek out and emphasize positive information about that neighborhood and ignore or underemphasis negative information. If you have strong convictions about something, seek out and consider the disconfirming evidence. When, after examining the other side of things, you choose to retain your original position, you'll be more knowledgeable about the complexities of the issue or topic.
Creativity is a critical aspect of good decision making. Individuals often assume that the readily apparent options are the only options available. When faced with a difficult choice between A and B, take some time to creatively pursue alternative solutions. You may discover a synthesis between A and B or an innovative option C that hadn't before been on your horizon. Remember that necessity is the mother of invention. When faced with a problem, consider your challenge an opportunity to devise new solutions.
When making decisions about how to spend your time, money and energy, consider your personal values. Consider how much of your energy you spend nurturing your relationships or pursuing your goals. If you truly value something, you will carve out the time and resources to get it done. Create a mission statement that outlines your core values and principals. Ensure that your decisions - the large ones and the small ones - reflect those goals.