In today’s episode, Mel will help you make any decision that you’re facing.Today, she is giving you a masterclass in decision making—the psychology, the science, and the step-by-step framework she personally uses to stop spinning, start moving, and trust your gut. If you're stuck in indecision, overthinking, or afraid of making the wrong choice—this episode is for you. You’ll learn how to: -Trust your intuition (yes, it’s real—and it’s backed by science) -Stop second-guessing yourself -Know when to go with your gut vs. when to slow down and make a plan -Navigate difficult decisions that affect other people (like calling off a wedding or leaving a job) -Handle the emotional aftermath of hard choices -Build the confidence to make any decision—even the scary ones This episode is packed with the tools, insights, and clarity you need to stop avoiding your choices and start creating the life you actually want. You are one decision away from a different life. And chances are you already know exactly what to do, you’re just too afraid to do it. This episode will teach you how to trust your gut and give you the courage to make the hard decision you know deep down you have to make. For more resources, click here for the podcast episode. If you liked this episode, and you’ll love listening to this one next: How To Handle Difficult People & Take Back Your Peace and PowerConnect with Mel: Get Mel’s #1 bestselling book, The Let Them TheoryWatch the episodes on YouTubeFollow Mel on Instagram The Mel Robbins Podcast InstagramMel's TikTok Sign up for Mel’s personal letter Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes ad-freeDisclaimer
Chapter 1: What is the main topic of this episode?
Hey, it's your friend Mel, and welcome to the Mel Robbins Podcast. Oh, I'm so glad you are here because today you and I have a great thing to talk about. We're going to talk about the power of your decisions.
And you made a great decision to be here right now because if you're tired of overthinking everything or doubting yourself or second-guessing every move, if you've ever wanted to learn how to trust your gut and your intuition, you're in the right place right now.
See, I believe you're one decision away from a different life, and we're going to talk about how to leverage the power of your decisions to create a better life. See, today, I am probably one of the most decisive people you'll ever meet, but I wasn't always this way. The old Mel Robbins, I used to overthink everything. I would second guess myself all the time.
And even when I knew in my gut what I should do, you know, those moments when you just know, I would always second guess myself or I just wouldn't listen to it. See, I've learned how to be confident as a decision maker. It's a skill and it's a skill that I'm going to help you learn today.
So whether you're struggling with a decision that's pretty big right now, whether you're thinking about ending a relationship or changing careers, or maybe there's something smaller, you're chronically giving up on yourself because you can never make the decision to go to the gym or you're constantly hitting the snooze button, which is also a decision, by the way.
Whatever decision it is that you need the courage to make, today, I'm gonna give you the same simple framework that I use, especially when I feel conflicted about the decision or I can't seem to make it. See, we're gonna talk about a number of things today. We're gonna talk about intuition, what it is, how it works. The science is so fascinating.
We're also gonna talk about those moments that are different between when you gotta go with your gut versus when do you need to pause and think through how to deal with the decision. especially in those moments when you feel so conflicted. And most importantly today, you're going to learn how to trust yourself.
Our conversation could change the trajectory of your life because I'm going to prove to you, you already know exactly what you should be doing. You've just forgotten how to trust yourself, make the decision and actually do it. Hey, it's your friend Mel, and welcome to the Mel Robbins Podcast. I am so excited for the topic today. I'm so excited that you're here with me.
First of all, it's always such an honor to spend time with you and to be together. And if you're a new listener, I just wanted to take a moment and personally welcome you to the Mel Robbins Podcast family. I am so glad you're here. Because you made the time to listen to this particular episode about decision-making and intuition, here's what I know about you.
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Chapter 2: How can you trust your intuition?
Learning how to listen to your intuition is something we all need to do. And sharing this episode with people that you care about could absolutely change the trajectory of their life. So thank you for taking the time to do that. Don't go anywhere. We have so much more to talk about and we're gonna jump right back into it after this short break. So stay with me. Welcome back.
It's your buddy Mel Robbins. I'm so thrilled you are still here listening and learning about the skill of decision-making. As I always say, you are one decision away from a different life. And taking the time to share this with somebody that you care about is a decision that you made that will change someone else's life. So thank you for doing that.
Now, one thing I want to say about the difference between decisions where you're just going to go for it and trust your gut and those decisions where you're going to hit the pause button, you're going to travel upstairs, and you're going to use your brain to make a plan is that this is super important.
And the reason why this is important is because there's a lot of research about how your emotions impact your decision-making in really negative ways. You know, I'm looking at some studies here that I wanted to talk to you about. There's very interesting research from neuroscientists, of course, about the various parts of the brain that you use and the different ways that people make decisions.
But that gets so complicated that I'm just trying to boil it down for you in simple terms so you can actually walk away from this conversation and apply everything you're learning. And so if you look at what we've discussed so far, which is why you should trust your
your intuition and your intelligent design in gut decision-making, it is important for you to understand that you have to settle your emotions first. Because what's interesting is that there's very, very clear research that your brain weighs your emotional state when it's weighing whether or not a decision is a good one or bad one.
And this is important to understand because when you're stressed out or fearful, research shows you just choose the path of least resistance. You do what you've always done. You avoid the decision. And you and I have both done that. How many times have you put off quitting a job or having the conversation or, heck, even going to the gym because you feel sad or you feel too stressed out to go?
That's an example of how your emotions are impacting decisions in the moment. It's helpful for me to think about the fact that I know the truth of what I need to do in my gut, My emotions have a point of view about whether or not I feel like doing it. We're just gonna ignore that. And you can ladder up to your brain to help you make a plan. And I wanna remind you,
Making no decision is a decision because you're deciding to stay exactly where you are and ignore what your intuition is telling you. You're deciding to accept less than you deserve and delay making the changes that will bring you happiness and more satisfaction in your life. Those are decisions, and you need to wake up and recognize that you're making them. Just imagine yourself a year from now.
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Chapter 3: When should you go with your gut versus when to pause?
It's why people pick majors and career paths and then stay in them because they're afraid of making a decision that is gonna cause someone else to feel something. And if you understand that emotions are a normal part of your life, You're going to feel them. Other adults are going to feel the ups and downs. You can be more courageous. I don't want you making decisions with your emotions.
I want you to make decisions based on the truth of your intuition, what feels aligned with you and the vision that you have for your life and the magnetic energy that pulls you towards it. And I want you to use your brain to make a plan for how to execute the decision in the most responsible and powerful way.
When you do that, you will be one of the most decisive and powerful and unstoppable people on the fricking planet. That's how you use this science. And none of this is easy. I mean, there are plenty of decisions that have been difficult for me to make in my life that I've delayed six months, a year, two months.
Heck, when our son wanted to move to Southern Vermont, my husband and our son moved up here for a year. I didn't go. I knew eventually that I would, but I wasn't ready. The when and the how for me took almost a year and that's okay. And so there are going to be decisions that you make immediately when this episode is over.
And then there are going to be those decisions that you're like, I know that what Mel's saying is right and I know what my gut is telling me. And perhaps for the first time in my life, I understand why I need to trust it. And I also am going to take a little pressure off because this is the kind of decision that needs some planning. And that's what I'm going to use my brain to do.
And when you understand decision-making in this context, that there's a difference between what you need to do and how and when you do it, now you can leverage the full capacity of your gut, your heart, and your mind to align your life with what's meant for you, no matter how hard it is. And that brings me to the final point.
I think one of the biggest obstacles to being more decisive in life is this fear that you're going to make the wrong decision. What if you trusted yourself enough to be able to handle the fallout of any decision that you made?
What if instead of fearing that you're going to make the wrong decision, you accepted the science of how intuition and how your internal GPS is helping you navigate, and you started to tune into what you know to be true? And you just separated the truth from how and when you plan and you execute those decisions. You take a little bit of the pressure off, but you really triple down on the truth.
Because it's easy to say, I don't know how to trust my gut. I don't know how to listen to my intuition. I don't think that's true. I think you know exactly what your intuition is telling you. You just ignore it. And our conversation today is an invitation to really change the way you even talk about that. I know exactly what my intuition is telling me.
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