5 Tips to Move Forward…Even Under Pressure, Lacking Clarity

If you need to make some weighty life decisions – but still don’t have clarity – these tips can help.

The entertainment world understands the power of a weighty life decision. In these iconic movies, main characters had to make critical decisions…with life-altering consequences…under stress.

• It’s a Wonderful Life
• Casablanca
• Gone with the Wind

At a crossroads, old-fashioned-sounding or not, it’s just wise to pray and ask God to please guide us. 

He cares. And genuinely wants to give us wisdom, insight, protection, revelation, etc.

But after that, then what?

Here are 5 practical fruitful tips I’ve learned along the way. Things you can do to spark momentum &/or glean insight when you’ve simply got to make decisions. Hoping – and yea trusting – these may shed some light.  :)

1.  Organize your stuff.

No, I’m not kidding.

Organizing your stuff helps dramatically. Experts have written whole books on this topic, some explaining the emotions or science behind it, others sharing “how to” methods.

All I know is – after 30 years of earnest application – it works. Taking authority over even a portion of your things or your space nearly always brings some clarity and creativity.

Thankfully, organizing your stuff is something you CAN do, even during or after a season of pain or loss.

So even if you’re feeling overwhelmed, you should definitely try this. It helps break off confusion, and usher in a sense of accomplishment, dignity and – yes – clarity.

• Do the basics: make your bed (there’s a book by this title J ), hang up towels in the bathroom, put dishes in the dishwasher or at least the sink. If you work or study from home, have a workspace that’s decently cleared off.
• Categorize: physically tackle the messiest areas & put “like” or similar things together. Even stacking “like” things together can shift you from “overwhelmed” to “having some hope.”
• Triage: once any messes are categorized, triage those stacks and pull out “A list” to do’s. Then handle A list to do’s, one at a time. E.g., bills, crucial paperwork, time-bound responsibilities.
• List: for those tasks which need doing but aren’t crucial or urgent – i.e., “B” or “C” priority – write them down. Then move anything/paperwork related to those B or C tasks out of sight. Put it in a drawer, closet, box, on a shelf. Then review your B & C lists periodically, as due dates approach and they become “A” tasks. But the key is this: give yourself the grace of removing B & C “stuff” from eyeshot until you need to handle it.

The tips above sound and are simple. But when you’re overwhelmed, simple is helpful. These simple tips foster hope, reduce visual clutter, and – as noted – spark momentum. All good things.

2.  Take stock: what variables in life are a given?

Likewise, this 2^nd tip may also sound simple.

That said, at a crossroads it can indeed help to note life “variables” which are non-negotiables. Which are NOT up for grabs. They are a given.

Things like:

• Support system proximity – distance to family &/or close friends
• Economic factors
  • Employment flexibility – access to a potential “Plan B” position or company, should Plan A fall through for any reason
  • Cost of living
  • State and local taxes
• Practical daily considerations – traffic, density, etc.
• Churches or places of worship – in-person access, like-minded fellow worshippers
• Geography –climate or topography preferences
• Hobbies or interests – proximity/locations, groups, special events

Writing down “given” variables improves our focus. And precludes wasting time on options which are truly (truly) not possible or desirable in the whole.

3.  Revisit any prior life plans.

As long as you’re in the mode of switching gears, it might help to look at any prior “life plans” you ever jotted down or considered.

Do any still spark interest? This may be the season for that door to open.

• If you’re a planning nerd like me, you may have even sketched out some life plan options. I have a Dream Notebook ;)
• This is huge: do you feel there’s a call on your life? Does your heart still burn for a certain path or destination in life? If so, is there any way to incorporate that call into your next chapter in life? Do you feel led to consider it?
• Do your friends/family members consistently see and call out a talent you have? A passion? That gifting may be a fun thing to explore. You can even ask them directly: “Have you ever imagined me doing something different? Living somewhere different?”
• If you’ve ever received a personal prophesy from someone with the biblical gift of prophesy (1 Cor. 12:10), that can be extremely helpful. It’s not someone’s opinion. It’s God’s Holy Spirit speaking personally to us, through them. Trusted personal prophesies can “woo” or call us into something God has lovingly ordained for us. And/or they give clues of how God wants to lead and use us. Very comforting.

4.  Be especially open minded. Try new things, scatter seeds.

When considering life decision options, within the parameters of your given variables (above), there’s value in being open, flexible and optimistic.

For example,

• Choose a “glass half full” attitude. If you don’t feel that way (let’s be real, sometimes we don’t), do your best.
• Try new things. Maybe cast your net a bit wider.
• Go new places.
• Take a few risks. Apply /sign up for things you wouldn’t normally do. Scatter seeds.
• Praise God in advance for a positive outcome. He’s FOR you.

 This positive mindset/action step combo will bring you traction…and momentum.

5.  Walk through open doors, if led by peace.

This tip is a biggie: when it comes time to actually make a decision, go by what brings you the greatest peace.

It’s OK to still have some questions or even straggler concerns. Sometimes big decisions are hard and require an element of courage.

BUT…your overarching “sense,” intuition, “gut feel” should be one of peace. The solution should feel “right” to you. If you don’t have a sense of peace about it, keep praying and seek other input or consider other options.

“Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God.

And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].”  Philippians 4:6-7 AMP

A personal side note: an adventurous mindset + taking action + heeding “peace” truly can lead to unimaginable blessings. My own 5.5 years of working in Europe began with one brave decision at a difficult unlikely time.