Whether it’s accepting a new project or transferring to a new company, career decisions are always hard to make. It’s because these decisions will change our lives, and make us celebrate (or regret) the outcome. Below are some steps you can do when you’re faced with some tough choices.

Use the PROs and CONs strategy. These two columns will never be obsolete.

Research on your supposedly next move. This is a good way to find out the risks so you can know what you’re entering into before you jump in.

Know ALL your options. It’s best to know every alternative you have so you won’t overlook a good option.

Know all the consequences. If you can quantify the costs of your decision, it means you can calculate the gains and the possible losses.

Assess what your long-term goals are. It’s important that you remind yourself of your long-term target goals so your next move will make you closer to that target, not farther.

Take risks. If your career now does not make you happy, and the PROs and CONs list sort of balances out, go ahead and step out of your comfort zone. While it’s important to be successful, it wouldn’t hurt to do something that makes you happy as well.