A dart! No, seriously, I pour a glass of red wine, get comfortable and go through patterns I have printed, if one talks to me it goes aside, then I go through that stack until I find the one that shouts at me. The selection is much easier if a pattern reminds me of fabric in my stash and I can get started immediately. I already have several in a file patiently waiting for the right moment to start them.
No problems here picking a project. Have to finish a challenge top before December --just need to start cutting before I change my mind again about a pattern. But I am finally ready to start as soon as I get my sewing room set up.