Think about how you got in to your current position. A possible decision on what to do next could arise from how you got yourself there. Ask yourself how a crisis could be avoided. Would doing the right thing be so hard a process if only you did things a bit differently before? Whom else is this affecting? If it is multiple individuals, how will you rising up as the one doing the right thing affect your relations? Compare the current predicament to past experiences where you had to figure out how to do the right thing. Look at what worked or what didn’t, and apply what you learned to the present.
Make sure you aren’t in an environment that pressures you in to making decisions. [2] X Research source Especially if you are trying to do the right thing in a professional setting, be conscious of the long-term effects of your actions. Weigh the pros and cons of each outcome. Ask yourself how one result could possibly work better than another. Prepare yourself for any unexpected reactions from others. It may be difficult to expect the unexpected, but getting in the mindset of that possibility can reduce panic and further stress.
How will “doing the right thing” be for the benefit of others? How will the situations get better when I do it? How will your relationships improve? Worsen? What makes what you’re doing “the right thing”?
You start self-doubting yourself. When you arrive at a decision on the right course of action to make things right, you want to make it confidently. It’s not the end of the world. Doing this one right thing doesn’t mean that you are incapable of making the correct decision in the first place. Take the mistake in stride, and learn from what you did wrong. Nothing would happen. If you are too panicky, you’ll scare yourself into acting on time. If you are really unsure, talk it over with others – the subjective view from others can be a refreshing viewpoint on the situation.
Pay attention to any physical bodily reactions. [5] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Sometimes, our bodies can physically show signs of stress. Keep checking in with yourself if things are getting too much to handle. Don’t try to control or hold back emotions. It’s important to let anything and everything in to feel it all. Our emotions are natural, they make us who we are and they play vital roles in what we believe is the right thing to do. Pay attention to what you are feeling and focus on what to do with them. [6] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Refrain from acting on impulse. Our initial reactions to situation may not always be the best one. Think carefully if you want to react, as impulses may not always be the best way to go about doing right things.
Make your voice heard. Address your problems so people know what you’re struggling with. By verbally acknowledging that you are struggling with doing the right thing, you aren’t so caught up in your own thoughts, running around in circles. Find someone who understands why you need to do the right thing. They will have an easier time understanding your struggle, thus more likely to give applicable advice. Have a fresh perspective on the situation. Perhaps you’ve been dwelling on how to solve a problem for too long. By having another person’s input they may bring in to light other ideas that you may have missed. A therapist or life coach is a good person to talk to. [9] X Expert Source Erin Conlon, PCC, JDExecutive Life Coach Expert Interview. 31 August 2021.
How can doing this particular right thing reduce doing the wrong thing in the future? Am I happy with the result(s)? How did I handle this differently from past situations?
Will this decision go against your morals? Who could you potentially cross? Also, how will you go about avoiding this? How will others think of you? Do the other involved parties think this is a big enough deal for a “right thing” to be done?
Engaging with others throughout the process of trying to do the right thing can keep everyone on the same page. Adequate communication avoids discrepancies between ideas and reactions. Try to diffuse tension among others. Depending on the severity of the situation, you may want to reconsider acting without considering other people’s feelings. Ask why and how people are reacting to you in certain ways. Do they not agree that what you are doing is the right thing? Are they still mad? Asking why someone is acting in a certain way can put you in their shoes, and you can make better decisions with there perspective in mind.
Ensure you are acting in a manner that won’t be detrimental to others’ reputations. This is especially important to keep in mind in professional settings like the work place. Do the right thing so it doesn’t make others doubt your judgment. If others perceive you in a certain way, you want to keep in mind what others will say about you. Before carrying out the decision, try asking around if what you think of doing is truly the right thing to do. Don’t ignore advice. You may feel like what you are doing is the right thing, but listen to what others have to say about it. They can help you tweak ideas and your delivery method.
