I’m sure that you too have experienced times of indecision.  Times where you’ve struggled to make a decision, whether that’s small things or big things.  You may even be experiencing that somewhere in your life now.  For example, should I look for another job or should I stay put?  Should I have a baby or not? Should I spend my money on buying a property or not?

You’re not alone.  Even great leaders, who are generally not rash or foolhardy, can experience indecision.  On most days they know their mind and have the confidence to act on it.  However even they experience times where they waver between two or more possible courses of action.  When this happens, they too can freeze and start asking others what they should do.

What The Best Leaders and Achievers Do

The best leaders and achievers have an ability to get to the fundamental cause of their mental roadblock, and breakthrough it.   That’s what you need to do too to achieve your important goals and dreams.

Your indecision  may be a sign that the choice really matters to you.  It might also be a warning that you’re about to make the wrong decision.  Either way it gives you valuable time to gather more information, weigh up the facts and think about the situation.

However If you indecisive for too long, you may miss an opportunity.  It can also cause you to loose confidence in yourself further, compounding the problem further.

5 Causes of Indecision

There are a variety of causes for why people become indecisive.  Here are five of them:

1. Out of practice — where you haven’t been making many bigger decisions in your life.
2. Too many options can flood a person – overwhelm of your possible choices
3. Fear of making the wrong decision – concern that you will make a mistake or fail
4. Cognitive dissonance– conflict between their desires and those of the hand that fed/feeds them can lessen and cut them off from their desire
5. Lacking confidence – Self doubt in your ability causing second guessing

6 Ways To Overcome Indecision:

Whether your indecision is around a particular goal or has become a general habit, know that you can reduce your indecision with practice.  Take a few minutes to read the list below for ways you can improve your decision making.

1. Look at the big picture. Consider the importance of the decision in the longer term.  As you enter old age what would you regret most?   To read about the Top 5 Regrets of the Dying, read my blog article:  
2. Identify the fear of consequences. Ask yourself what’s the worst that could happen. Then, contemplate how you would address it if it happened.  By figuring out concrete ways to deal with it if it came true, you can remove a lot of its power and control over your decision-making
3. Accept the limits of analysis. Don’t paralyse yourself with analysis.  There comes a time when no matter how much logical thinking you do, or information you have, the decision isn’t going to get any easier.  Give yourself a time limit on your research, list-making and pondering.
4. Tune into your emotions. Trust your gut. Ask yourself: “Which option feels more ‘right’ for you?”
5. Break the decision down into smaller pieces. Sometimes big decisions can become overwhelming.  If that’s the case, practice making decisions on smaller pieces that are part of the bigger process
6. Eliminate should’s. Nothing leads to indecision faster than letting your actions be guided by the desire to impress or satisfy  – what you think you should do for others.  Inevitably that part of you wants something different will cause you to rebel.  When you stop worrying about what everyone else will think, the best decision often becomes crystal clear.

Breaking The Hold Of Indecision

Combine the above actions with your own range of strengths as you work on breaking the hold of indecision.  Using these will support your decision-making process, helping you make the choices that are right for you.  And, assisting you to take the actions required to achieve your important goals.

If indecision has been holding you back in achieving one or more important goals, then it’s time to commit to tackling it. Please be kind to yourself in the process.

To support you in progressing and achieving your most important goals, take action today by implementing today’s tips.

Do you have a favourite tip for overcoming indecision?  If so, please share it below.

Warm regards

Lisa

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