Everyone occasionally struggles with making a decision, but does indecisiveness feel like a frequent problem for you that’s interfering with your happiness? Meet with your employee assistance program to fight to overcome this “paralysis by analysis.” Making decisions is a life skill that’s teachable and involves comparing the outcomes and impact of choices while paying close attention to your emotions and the

sway of feelings in your decision. With your EAP, you can learn to make decisions more quickly by reducing the tendency of overanalyzing, visualizing possible outcomes, trusting yourself more, and knowing that you are making the right choices. A counselor can help you understand how a pattern of indecisiveness developed, examine whether depression contributes to it, and decide what further assistance could be helpful. Don’t let indecisiveness remain a problem that causes you to lose faith in your own judgment and prevents you from attaining what life has to offer.

Here are some tips for navigating indecision.

1. Forget the fear: If you can’t make a decision, there’s a good chance that you’re afraid of something. Figure out what it is and write it down. Ask yourself what you’ll do if your fear comes to pass. Is it truly possible? If so, how will you cope? For example, you might be considering a job change but fear the financial risks. Maybe the new job pays less than your current job. Consider how the reduced income will affect your life and how you might deal with it. Then set your fear aside and make the decision that seems best to you.
2. Tune in to your emotions: Many people who have trouble making decisions tend to over-analyze. There comes a time when no matter how much information you have, or how much logic you’ve applied, the decision isn’t going to get any easier. Set a time limit on your research, list-making, and pondering. Then ask yourself: “Which would do me the most good: A or B?” Quickly rate each option from one to ten. Go with your gut. The option with the higher number is the option you should choose.
3. Practice on small stuff: To become an expert at anything, you need to practice. Start making little decisions every day. Shoot for at least 10 decisions. Decide what you’re going to have for lunch and what route you’re going to take to work. Go to your favorite store and choose one small purchase. As little things come up throughout the day, practice making faster decisions. Unless it’s a big one, don’t put it off. Give yourself a time limit and decide!
4. Ask, ‘Will this matter 10 years from now?’: Sometimes, decisions seem much bigger than they really are. Maybe you’re struggling with a new car purchase. Will it really matter 10 years from now which car you choose? The answer might be “No!” But even when it’s “Yes!”, remind yourself that many decisions are reversible. You can sell the car if it doesn’t work out. You might be able to move back if you don’t like the new town. You can quit your new job if it’s really horrible. Try not to take the decision more seriously than you need to. Be realistic about the risks involve.
5. Learn to trust yourself: List your strengths. Are you smart? Funny? Creative? Ask yourself if you can incorporate your strengths into your decision-making process. For example, if you’re creative, consider making a collage to represent each choice in front of you. Your strengths can also help you achieve what you set out to do, once you’ve made a choice. Finally, accept the power of “good enough,” especially if you tend to be a perfectionist. None of us can achieve perfection all of the time.

Learn more: http://legacyproject.human.cornell.edu [search: worry waste].

Beheshtifar, M., Esmaeli, Z., & Hashemi-Nasab, K. (2012, April). Positive self-concept: A vital factor to overcome career indecision. Science Series Data Report, 4(4), 126-133. Retrieved from flexmanager.ir/downloads/view-5.pdf

Ferrari, J. (2010, April 5). Psychology of procrastination: Why people put off important tasks until the last minute. Retrieved from apa.org/news/press/releases/2010/04/procrastination.aspx

Understanding and overcoming procrastination. (n.d.). Retrieved from princeton.edu/mcgraw/library/for-students/avoiding-procrastination/