We all know what makes a good decision: It is timely (fast, but not too fast) and well-considered (taking into account all options and their most likely outcomes) and produces a result we find satisfying. So why do we so often fall into decision-making traps?

The answer lies quite simply in how we’re feeling. If you tend to procrastinate, canvass opinions, waffle, or avoid risks with your decisions, chances are you fear failure or embarrassment or “you don’t want responsibility for a choice,” says Lawrence Perlmuter, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, in Chicago. Burrowing into an abundance of data is another way to avoid committing. You may be using research to “avoid looking inside to see what gambles you’re willing to take,” says Baruch Fischhoff, Ph.D., a psychologist at Carnegie Mellon University, in Pittsburgh, who studies decision making.

Then there are judgments you make in a snap, without considering the consequences. Or single-minded decisions that you make without accepting the wisdom of other perspectives. You may think, in both cases, that you’re being efficient, but the truth is, you may be worried about the decision. “Sometimes it’s a matter of ‘out of sight, out of mind,’” says Fischhoff. By making your choice, you shelve the angst and move on.

Any of this sound like you? All of it? You’re not alone. Most of us use these behaviors in combination or fall back on one or another depending on the situation. The good news: You don’t have to decide which one style fits you. Here’s advice on how to tackle them all.

Poll Taking

Should you wear the silver dress or the red dress to that black-tie industry event? You call your sister. Your best friend. Then a coworker. (What’s she wearing?) An hour later, you’re still staring blankly at your closet.

How to Avoid It:

Consider why you don’t trust yourself. Is it because you’ve made some bad choices? (Who hasn’t?) Because you don’t want to be liable for a decision? You’ll have to live with its outcome, so it’s crucial to determine what you want.

Imagine yourself in scenarios based on different decisions. Gauge the most comfortable. (How would you feel in the red dress? What about the silver one?) Then choose. Keep in mind that if you make a mistake, it may not really matter. (Other people will be overdressed, too.)

If you’re facing a weighty issue that truly calls for advice, seek out a neutral expert — a marriage counselor, a financial adviser, a career coach — rather than polling friends who have biases. Ask for factors to consider, then come up with the answer yourself.