Can I? I Can’t. Should do and could do. Decision paralysis.
“Every decision brings with it some good, some bad, some lessons, and some luck. The only thing that’s for sure is that indecision steals many years from many people who wind up wishing they’d just had the courage to leap.”– Doe Zantamata
If so, you're not alone. Many of us experience decision paralysis at some point in our lives, and it can be a frustrating and exhausting experience. For some of us it’s a regular occurrence and it feels hard to work out how to move forwards.
But fear not! You are in the right place! With the right mindset and some simple strategies, you can overcome decision paralysis and move forward with confidence.
Firstly, it's important to understand what decision paralysis is and why it happens. Decision paralysis occurs when we're faced with too many choices, causing us to feel overwhelmed and unable to make a decision. This can lead to doing NOTHING when in fact you really want to DO SOMETHING. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including fear of making the wrong choice, fear of missing out on something better, or simply feeling unprepared to make a decision.
So, how can I DO SOMETHING? (I hear you cry) Here are some coaching tips to help you get unstuck:
Clarify Your Goals:
Before making any decisions, take some time to really think about your goals and priorities. What are you trying to achieve? What outcomes are most important to you? By having a clear understanding of your objectives, you can narrow down your options and make decisions that align with your values. (see my article on core values)
Set Limits:
When faced with too many choices, it can be helpful to set limits for yourself. For example, you might decide to only consider three options instead of ten, or to give yourself a time limit for making a decision. Setting these boundaries can help prevent you from feeling overwhelmed and make the decision-making process more manageable.
Trust Your Instincts:
Sometimes, we already know deep down what the right decision is, but we hesitate to trust our instincts. Learning to listen to your intuition can help you make decisions more confidently and efficiently. Trust yourself to make the best choice for you, and remember that it's okay to make mistakes along the way.
Break it Down:
If you're feeling overwhelmed by a big decision, try breaking it down into smaller, more manageable steps. Focus on tackling one part of the decision at a time, rather than trying to consider everything all at once. This can help reduce feelings of overwhelm and make the decision-making process feel more achievable.
Make a decision:
Sounds easy right? It doesn’t feel that way, but when faced with making a decision sometimes we just have to commit to one. I am a frim believer that we should learn from our mistakes and use them as a tool to improve. This is one of the best ways to get to know yourself and test your comfort zone. When we move through our comfort zone, this is where real change happens! So make one and see where it leads.
Seek Support:
Don't be afraid to reach out for support when you need it. Whether it's seeking advice from a friend or loved one, consulting with a mentor or coach, or even just talking through your options out loud, getting input from others can provide valuable perspective and help you gain clarity.
Remember, decision paralysis is a common experience, and it's okay to feel stuck from time to time. We live in a world where there are infinite possibilities and that can lead to overwhelm.
The important thing is to recognise when it's happening and take proactive steps to overcome it. By clarifying your goals, setting limits, trusting your instincts, breaking decisions down into smaller steps, and seeking support when needed, you can move forward with confidence and make progress towards your goals. So go ahead, make that decision, and trust that you're on the right path!
If you are looking for support, coaching can be a useful way of having a safe space to explore this and really help you to regain some control and increase your confidence.
Book a FREE chat with me and see whether coaching is for you!
