Deciding which school to go to, what career to do, who to be with or who to avoid, to travel or to stay, are all decisions that most individuals will be forced to confront. Decisions are part of our everyday lives, but this doesn’t mean they are easy; for some, it is quite the opposite.
1. Recognize the consequences of your indecision.
Being indecisive can be a disadvantage, not only to you, but for others. If we use the case of a group project, if you’re taking too much time deciding what slides to use, it can impact the time it will take and your group’s productivity. To tame your indecisiveness, you need to learn how to motivate yourself in order not to get these consequences. Self motivation can be tricky, so find out what works best for you.
2. Separate the PROS & CONS.
By separating the benefits and the disadvantages of the situation, it will make the situation more clear. The weight will then balance between the options and you’ll be able to decide confidently without emotional bias.
3. Set a deadline.
Indecision can cause you to overthink so much that it makes the decision harder. Giving yourself a limit to make a decision will prevent you from contemplating it repeatedly. Setting a deadline will create a sense of urgency and momentum for you to decide.
4. Don’t rush.
Although setting a deadline is a good idea, it is important not to rush it. If your decision doesn’t need to be made right away, take a walk or sleep on it. Taking a moment for yourself will allow you to recharge your batteries and see things more clearly.
5. Ask a loved one.
Sometimes the decision is making you perplexed. Choose a close friend or family member to talk to, and help yourself to their point of view. Seeing things from an outside perspective makes decision-making easier and a friend will never hesitate to give you a reality check.
6. Do something you love.
Sometimes making big decisions can make you so stressed you can’t even think properly. For some people, decision-making is easier if you write it down, draw it, or do anything that allows you to think.
7. Will this matter 10 years from now?
Things might seem important right now, so ask yourself this question; “Will this matter 10 years from now?” I can guarantee that your answer will probably be no. So have fun, because you never know when you’ll stop having that possibility.
8. Be uncomfortable.
If your decision has two consequences that aren’t life-changing, take the more difficult one. Putting yourself outside of your comfort zone can make you see things from a different perspective. This might not help that decision itself, but it might help the future ones coming because you’ll have better critical thinking.
Using these tips and tricks will hopefully help you become less indecisive, so start using them today!
