We make decisions every day, from what to have for breakfast to choosing which classes will give us the skills needed to move forward in life. Each of these decisions is like a teeter-totter in our heads, rocking back and forth in deliberation. Yes, it's just a decision, but it's also a cost-benefit analysis.

A cost-benefit analysis is used to determine the potential gain or loss from any given decision. Basically, add up the perceived benefits and compare them to the costs. If the benefits outweigh the costs, then it's a go--and vice versa.