“There is not a single correct decision. There are many ways to make any decision work.”
— Ellen Langer, The Mindful Body

If you’ve ever obsessed over the “right” diet, exercise routine, therapist, supplement, or sleep schedule, you’re not alone. In wellness culture, every decision can feel like a test. But what if the pressure to be right is the real problem?

Harvard psychologist Ellen Langer, in her book The Mindful Body, argues that there’s rarely one correct decision—and that most of the stress we feel around choices is unnecessary. When supported by the flexibility lense of Adam Grant and the integrity-first lens of Greg Koukl, we discover a refreshing new model for wellness: don’t chase the perfect choice—take the best next step.

1. Ellen Langer: It’s Not so much About the Right Decision—It’s About How we Engage With It

Langer’s research over four decades shows that presence and perception often matter more than the specific choice we make. In The Mindful Body, she reminds us that our ability to stay open, curious, and involved after a decision plays a huge role in how effective that choice becomes. When we’re fixated on finding the perfect choice, we trap ourselves in a stress-filled-cycle of overthinking and second-guessing. Mindfulness is about our ability to notice new things, and when we use this lense each choice can be a starting point rather than a final verdict. Langer’s work suggests that by adopting a more mindful approach to life, we can embrace the journey to improve our overall health and well-being.

“Rather than worry about making the right decision, we should make the decision right.” Langer

✦ Story: Buying a new home

When Maya and Jordan bought their new home, they made a decision based on what they knew at the time. Instead of getting stuck at the decision making stage, they made a decision, and then threw themselves into turning it into a space they loved, repainting walls, planting a garden, and hosting neighbors. Over time, the home felt like a perfect fit, not because it started that way, but because they chose to make it that way.

Wellness Insight: The way we show up for our decision often matters more than the decision itself. Mindfulness isn’t about doing what’s ideal—it’s about engaging deeply with what’s in front of us.

2. Adam Grant: Flexibility Is Healthier Than Certainty

In Think Again, Adam Grant urges us to treat decisions like ongoing experiments. He frames wise thinking as a willingness to revise and respond to real-time feedback—rather than cling to being “right.”

“The goal is not to be right, but to get it right.” Grant

✦ Story: The Therapy Switch

After a rough breakup, Darius started therapy. His first therapist had good reviews but didn’t click with him. Instead of giving up, he applied Grant’s logic: treat it like a draft, not a final decision. He switched providers, even though it felt awkward. The second therapist understood him immediately—and therapy became a cornerstone of his emotional recovery.

Wellness Insight: Changing course isn’t failure. It’s a sign that you’re learning. Health isn’t linear—and your path doesn’t need to be locked in to be valid.

3. Greg Koukl: Choose with Integrity, Not Fear

Greg Koukl’s decision-making philosophy is value-based not an emotional reaction. In his teachings, he encourages people to ask: What are the facts? What are my goals? What fits with my values? Seek wisdom and make choices that align with your values, then you can feel peace—even in uncertainty.

“You don’t have to know the outcome to make a wise decision. You just need clarity on what matters.” Koukl

✦ Story: Rest Over Hustle

Jasmine was offered a spot in a competitive health coaching certification program—but she was also recovering from long COVID. The old her would have pushed through. But this time, she asked deeper questions: What is important to me? What’s sustainable? What does my body need? She chose to defer the program and commit to six months of low-stimulation healing instead.

Six months later, her energy returned—and she was ready to pursue the certification.

Wellness Insight: The “right” decision isn’t always the hardest or most ambitious one. Sometimes it’s the one that honors your limits, values, and season of life.

A Better Wellness Framework: Present, Flexible, Aligned

Key Ideas…

Let go of perfection Most decisions can be made right through what we create following the decision (Langer)

Stay flexible Treat decisions as experiments, not life sentences (Grant)

Honor your values Choose based on what truly matters to you (Koukl)

Take the next step Action, not overthinking, builds confidence and clarity

Final Thought: Start Where You Are. Trust That It’s Enough.

Whether you’re deciding on a meal plan, a mental health tool, or how to recover from injury—remember this:

You don’t need to choose perfectly to move forward. You just need to choose with your values in mind, stay present, and give yourself permission to adapt.

Wellness isn’t found in certainty. It’s built in how you respond to uncertainty.

Make your choice. Make it yours. Make it matter.

💬 Which part of this framework resonates most with where you are right now? Share your thoughts or stories in the comments.

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Wendy Dellis is a certified wellness coach. She joins years of training and work in the area of behavior change, experience as a fitness instructor and run club lead with a passion for adventure and people. She lives in Minnesota with her husband, Jay.

The information contained on this page is for general information purposes only. Nothing here should be construed as medical or healthcare advice, but only topics for discussion. No physician-patient relationship exists; please consult your physician before making changes in diet or lifestyle.