What's Your Decision?: How to Make Choices with Confidence and Clarity: An Ignatian Approach to Decision Making

by J. Michael Sparough, Jim Manney

Do you have an effective decision making process in place, one that you can consistently rely on to help you make good decisions? Most people don't, and as a result they are never quite certain if they have made the best choice, and if their final decision was truly a good decision.

In What's Your Decision?, a fast-moving, personal, and highly practical book, the authors introduce readers to a time-tested Ignatian approach to effective decision making. Based on the insights of St. Ignatius, the book addresses common questions such as What's important and what's not when it comes to making decisions? Can I ever trust my gut? What do I really want?

Ultimately, What’s Your Decision? helps us understand that a God decision always precedes a good decision: When we invite God—who cares deeply about what we do—into the decision-making process, we find the freedom to make the best choice.

Genres: Spirituality, Christian, Nonfiction, Faith, Self Help

176 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2010

Reviews

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A concise and easy-to-understand and -read compilation of Ignatian principles and rules of discernment. For someone who has experienced the Spiritual Exercises, this really brought it home for me and gave me a renewed appreciation for Ignatius' genius insights. The book makes Ignatian discernment accessible and absolutely practical using real life examples. A perfect book to read when approaching big life decisions.

[Jocelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book clearly lives up to its genre, it has really helped me improve in many aspects of my life, not just decision making. The difference between consolation and desolation was described, and I was able to better understand how to find comfort in God. Ignatian discernment has taught me how to process my situations and feelings calmly while trusting my emotions and experience. I was taught trusting in my emotions and experiences was incredibly foolish, for they are of human nature, which is naturally compels us to sin. This book preached the teachings and practices of Ignatius of Loyola, which stated that one's own feelings can be relied upon to make decisions only if one does their best to seek the good and the love of God; you can't go wrong if that is what you keep in mind. I loved how positive, but realistic, this book was in being specific and making sure to clearly explain all of the concepts mentioned throughout. I'd also recommend reading Ignatius of Loyola's "Spiritual Exercises" before in order to get a better grip on the concepts that this book was based on.

[Daniel Stracquadanio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic book, I found it to be totally helpful in all the right ways. However, I am both deeply Catholic and very familiar with Ignatian spirituality. I think this book is for any religious person though. It's a blessing to read.

[Keara Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the concept and picked it up because I like both spiritual learning and personal development books. But, I found it more confusing than helpful. It starts off as if it will give you practical advice to making decisions and I guess in a way it does, but don’t expect that it will be straightforward. It gives a new way to think about decision-making as a non-linear process that God can use and we can use to get closer to God. But I think the description of how non-linear and how many factors can impact decisions and how much uncertainty can exist within those factors made me walk off with a sense that decision making is supposed to be confusing, where I expected the book to make it a little easier (after all, it’s subtitle is “How to Make Choices with Confidence and Clarity”). All in all, I will now take comfort in the confusion that can exist around a decision and I guess have some tools at my disposal to try to weigh my options.

[Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was quite interesting and helpful. In very plain and easily readable language the authors explains Ignatian discernment and its application in making major decisions. The book was overtly spiritual, which was refreshing. I appreciated the book's acknowledgement of the reality of God and his love for us, the importance of being aware of and sensitive to the internal spiritual experiences that are a reality for all of us (whether we understand or fully acknowledge them or not), and the emphasis on utilizing and balancing reason, emotion, spirit, and will in our decision making. I learned some worthwhile things from this book, and I was glad to identify so many points of common ground between my religious faith as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with the Jesuit, Catholic point of view from which this book is written.

[Rachel Hafler · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm struggling with how to rate this book because I feel like there is a lot of really valuable content here. But it seems to me that the valuable content comes from St. Ignatius and this is just a simplistic, stultified rehashing of his ideas.
I appreciated the explanation of consolations and desolations and how to practically apply that concept to decision making. And yet, the example stories used throughout the book were much too simple and just not relatable.
I suspect that actually reading Ignatius' Spiritual Exercises would be more beneficial for me than this particular book, but it was required for a training program. 2.5 stars.

[Kristina Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as the supplemental text to Karen Keen's "The Jesus Way, Practicing the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises." Although a little bit corny or oversimplified at times, this book is a practical, clear, and accessible introduction to the Ignatian discernment process. It's a helpful way to learn how to take emotions and experiences seriously in the life of faith, rather than viewing them as inherently sinful or misleading. Overall, I'd recommend this to anyone looking to deepen their understanding of how God speaks to us through our inner lives when making important decisions.

[Luke Eure · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to read, and very helpful in understanding a Jesuit, and more broadly Catholic and Christian, viewpoint of decision-making, even if not very convincing that this is the right viewpoint. If you are questioning whether or not God speaks to you directly, this book will not help you because it takes as a given that God does.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book to help you discern those great questions in your life: should I take this job or another; should I marry this person; should I give up my career as a lawyer and go work for the homeless???

This book won't answer your questions, but will give you a framework for determining how to go about thinking of the question.

[Melody Franco · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who really struggles to make decisions, I found this outlining of the Ignatian approach to be applicable and helpful. Would definitely recommend if you are in a process of discernment for a life transition and are struggling to identify the Spirit’s direction. Thank you for the recommendation and loaner, Carla!

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sometimes cursory but otherwise informative look at Ignatian decision making with modern examples and applications.

[J. Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZINGLY practical & helpful! Read it in one day!

[Betsy Saroni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, practical summary of Ignatian discernment. This book is extremely accessible and would be useful to anyone who values God’s guidance in making decisions.

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s really insightful! Highly recommended!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful material but not my favorite presentation of Ignatian discernment.

[Karah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found it to be repetitive, confusing and conflicting. The example scenarios were too basic. It did shed light and offer some useful tools, but with limited applications.

[Alex Carlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great overview of Ignatius' approach to discernment and division making.

[Colin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book on how to make decisions and follow God’s will. Highly recommend read.

[Lam Tran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very practical and helpful guide. Straightforward to apply to my decision making.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best non-fiction Christian books I’ve ever read. So practical and helpful. Loved it!

[Jamie S. Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much wisdom in this easy read.

[Mark VanderWerf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful intro to Ignatian spirituality and discernment process.

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great and helpful read ❤️

[Boho Beannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will return to again and again

[Jim Crosby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well-written, grounded in a time-tested tradition and laden with good examples for today’s reader. Learned techniques I think I’ll use for the rest of my life.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book came to my attention through the Spiritual Director training program I have enlisted in for the Fall. Since I tend to need to read a book multiple times before it really gets through my thick cranium, I purchased it ahead of time and read it.

I'd say the primary thing to note here is the Ignatian approach. If you are curious about this book, you might do a little bit of research online about St Ignatius. If you appreciate what you find, perhaps pick up this book to get a bit of a current view of the Ignatian approach to decision making and discernment.

[Jeff Lampson]

The absolute best guide for learning Ignatian discernment I have come across. I will mine the practicality and depth of this for many years. Sparough masterfully enlightens readers to the core principles, techniques, mind and heart-sets for effective discernment and decision making.

[Patti Clement · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very practical book on how to make good moral decisions using Ignatian Rules of Discernment!

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great introduction to the concept of Ignatian discernment. This book is good for anyone who is facing an important decision and wants to life a more intentional and prayerful life.

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book to have in my collection and one I will continue to go back to.