When making a difficult decision (and sometimes even not-so-difficult ones) I often resort to making a list of pros and cons. In fact, I just made one within the past 10 minutes. But it got me thinking – is making a list of pros and cons actually useful?
To find out, I’m going to….yeah, you guessed it.
PROS of a pro/con list.
- allows you to think of aspects of the decision that you might not have thought of otherwise.
- organizes your thoughts rather than having them all jumbled up in your mind.
- helps you figure out whether a particular aspect of the decision is in fact a pro or a con.
- when the list is complete, you can weigh the importance of the pros versus the cons, which can definitely be of aid. The bottom line is that pro/con lists provide structure to the decision-making process.
CONS of a pro/con list.
- they very rarely change my gut feeling about something, which is generally more reliable than what any list can tell me.
- pros and cons can easily be reversed, thus cancelling each other out (i.e. the con “I’’ll be lonely” becomes the pro “being alone will force me to grow as a person”).
- when there are multiple alternatives to the particular decision, you essentially have to list the pros/cons of each alternative, thus resulting in too many lists and too much confusion.***
- if you’re anything like me, you usually end up with the same number of pros and cons, which makes the decision even more difficult to make.
*** = if this entire post wasn’t evidence enough of my type-A personality, this is all the proof you need.
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So, where does this particular list leave me? Well, it leaves me a) continuously going back to my gut feeling b) realizing that it was in fact this list that led me recognizing that gut feeling and c) quite embarrassed that I’m currently making yet another list. WOW.
You have now seen read me at my craziest 
TA! xoxo G
- Do you make pro/con lists? Why or why not?
- p.s. yet another change is coming to GML later today. Stay tuned!
I usually do make a list, but like you sometimes they tend to mess with me! I usually know in my gut what the right answer is.
I LOVE that you made a pro/con pro con!!
I am a huge list maker, AND… I usually go with my gut. List making is fun!
I don’t make lists- but I have trouble with “big” decisions myself…
haha. I have a tough decision currently and I think I will go make a list…
Thanks for the idea!
I make pro/con lists for MAJOR decisions, but honestly haven’t made one in a while because I also go with my “gut” on a lot of things. Also, prayer and keeping close to God:)
i always go with my gut-always have, on big and little decisions. not sure it’s always worked out …but i love everything about my life right now so maybe it has always worked out…
wishing you so much luck as you make big decisions! xo
I do the same thing.I make a list every single day. I’m a big “to-do” list fan
I make them all the time. But I believe that gut feelings are far better than lists … as long as you are actually giving yourself permission to be aware of yours.
Haha we are such similar people! I agree that while lists like that can be helpful, they can also lead to more confusion and frustration. I try to go with my gut feeling, but - like you - getting to that point often requires making a list!
THANK YOU for the “gut feeling” con. I was debating something all morning that I didn’t feel awesome about, and your post reminded me to listen to my gut…decision made!
I made a pro/con list when I was making my college decision in order to justify going to a school that wasn’t right for me (I think I’ve told you the story, right?) I think they’re a useful tool in more objective matters like finance or similar planning, but yeah, for emotional decisions, they just put down on paper what you already know!
Haha! You should know from my FitBloggin or BlogHer post last week that I’m a pro/con list junkie.
I agree that it helps get thoughts out and can be useful when comparing only 2 options.
But the gut still always seems to win out. Which is why I’m doing FitBloggin even if it may be harder with a younger baby.
I write lists and sometimes the occasional pro/con list. However, sometimes with the pro/con list it doesn’t really help it just solidifies what I already knew.
When left with a difficult decision, I might pull out the pro-con list, but not usually. I usually have a “gut” feeling I want to go with.
blog changes are exciting!
keep your chin up, miss gracie
I do make a pro and con list, but really it never changes my from my initial gut instinct. I always go with that.
I’m such a list girl and even if I don’t write it down, I totally have the pros/cons in my head…for nearly everything I do!
I’m definitely a list maker, especially when it comes to school! I keep a pack of post-its by my computer so I can jot down assignments I have to do/exams I have to study for.
When it comes to big decisions, I pray…and then go with what I feel God telling my gut to do. Does that make any sense? Haha.
Haha, that is so something I would do, but in the end I almost always make my decisions based on that gut feeling.
I usually make a small pros/cons list with every decisions..mainly weighing if the result is worth the cost, that sorta thing.
I make lists for everything! But oddly enough, when it comes to decisions, I tend to just go with my gut. I used to make pro/con lists, but then I realized that they never really ended up influencing my gut instinct.
I actually made a pro/con list when I was making the decision to switch to dietetics instead of going to vet school. It worked out well for me
I definitely use pro/con lists to validate my gut instinct - go with that, lady!
I make lists like crazy. But I honestly can say I’ve never made a pro/con list! And I’m kind of glad about that now.
Sometimes being logical only complicates things. Although other times being logical is the best way. <-circular reasoning! haha
Anyway, good luck with your decision, whatever it may be!
Your post made me laugh out loud because I make pro/con lists all of the time!! I am the biggest Type-A personality and make a list for just about everything!! Thank you for reminding me I’m not alone!
“going with your gut” - It is ALWAYS best like you said, but pro/con lists are like a mature persons “outline” to confirm their “feeling”
Hi Gracie!
I’ve been following for a while but never commented, but i just have to say that i love this post, its just too cute. If there were a “like” button i would press it (: Keep on being you! xx
Thanks Clara!!
xoxo