The question to answer is how to balance difficulty between the two shots. The most important thing is to be decisive and committed to your choice.
Clearly each person's individual answer depends on their skill set. Lower level players might come to slightly different decisions than top player about what they can accept comfortably. I can speak for myself and say I used to work my cue ball far too much to try to take pressure off of my shot making. Some of the examples I used in this video are areas I used to make errors.
Top player shoot straighter and have better cue ball control as well. I've learned a lot watching the Europeans and their willingness to accept a bit more distance and pocketing difficulty to keep things calm, simple, and repeatable. This doesn't mean that will work for me exactly if I am unable to execute like they do. But I can edge my game that direction a bit, and also it gives me clarity on where I need to focus to improve (both accepting and executing 20% tougher shots at the right times).
Regardless of our individual answer, however, that isn't the biggest priority. The biggest priority is to make that decision clearly so you are committed and confident that you are making the right choice for you. The problem to avoid is being indecisive, rushed, and fearful while getting down on the 8 ball (or any ball). I would say it this way: When you don't make a clear decision you will default to a panicked over-ambitious decision that will likely fail. It is hard to execute when you are still thinking down in stance and in a fearful state of mind.
Pick the right decision for you at the time. Commit. Accept that win or lose you're good with that approach. Get down with no indecision and give a trusting swing. Of course you won't win them all, but by doing this you put your best foot forward and maximize your chances. If you fall short then that's feedback for what to work on in your next practice session.
