Conquering Your Indecisiveness and the Habit of Overthinking

Are you the type of person who spends a lot of time thinking and analyzing things before you make a decision? Or are you the type who makes decisions based only on what's at hand and rushes into situations?

Getting lost in all the options at hand can be frustrating, and not knowing what the future holds is scary, but it doesn't always have to be. Perhaps all you need is to take a little more time, trust yourself a little bit more, and worry a little less about the future. 

Taking any action can be frightening, but not making a choice can be even scarier. 

How do you overcome decision paralysis?

Is "indecisive" one of the words that your friends would use describe you? Are you stuck at a point in your life where you can't figure out what to do next? You may have decision paralysis. Decision paralysis is the fear of making decisions. 

If you don't start taking the initiative to make decisions, then you will end up becoming a prisoner of other people's whims. Your indecisiveness will strip you of your power and control. It will limit your opportunities and take away everything else that could help you become a better version of yourself. 

When you stop overanalyzing the situation, you will begin to regain your personal authority. Open yourself up to opportunities that could help enhance your life and live a life based on how you want it to be. 

How do you kick the habit of being indecisive, and what are the steps to make it happen?

Stop overthinking. 

Never overanalyze a situation or make something more than it is. Contrary to what people may think, no one is ever 100% correct when trying to predict the future. All people can do is try their best and look for the positive. Preparing yourself for the future is always an excellent step to take, but never blame yourself for things not turning out the way you imagined. It is important to be in control, but it is also vital to be open to the possible changes that could come. Sometimes, these changes in the plans are gifts in disguise. 

Never give in to quick decision making. 

Big decisions based on impulse almost always end up going wrong. Instead, teach yourself how to deal with the situation at hand. Take the time to weigh the pros and cons of the cast at hand. Allow yourself to be analytical and logical, but never overanalyze. Decision-making, after all, is all about choosing what is best for everyone. Think out a little bit more, and hopefully, you end up with the right one.

Take on the challenge and do something you've never done before. 

If it scares you, then you are on the right path. That fear is the part of yourself that's saying you are about to take on risk, but it may be worth the risk. Not only will there be something for you in the end, but it will be a lesson learned if it does not work out. After all, the scariest decisions you'll make in life are the ones that come with valuable experience to keep forever. 

Strike a balance between your logical mind and your gut feeling. 

Both can be useful when you are about to make a decision that will change your life forever. Your mind will always be the part of you that's rational in thought. It will tell you the risks and allow you to see what could happen if you decide to take on a challenge. However, your gut feeling will remind you that not all the decisions that you make should be based on logic alone. Sometimes, you also have to consider how it will make you feel. 

Always go for the choice that will give you more chances in the future.

Never settle for the short term. Be open to what could happen in the long run. Sometimes, what could be useful today may not be the best for tomorrow. Always remember than what you do now will affect the future, so do your best to keep your options open.

What to do when you're afraid of making decisions

Are you struggling to make decisions? Are you having such a hard time choosing that you sadly end up doing nothing? 

Most people struggle with making choices because they are afraid of making the wrong choice. This fear comes from a lack of confidence in one's self. 

Sometimes you may ask someone else to decide for you, so you won't be blamed if the choice is wrong. However, doing so takes away your power and puts you at the mercy of another's whims. They can control your life instead of you. While allowing someone to take control every once in a while is good, you need to be the driving force in your life to live a more fulfilling existence. 

So instead of being afraid of making choices, you should teach yourself to accept mistakes. Failures are part of the learning process, and no one is perfect.

After all, nobody could ever make a better choice for you than yourself. Effective decision-making is the only way you can learn how to be who you really want to be. 

One way or another, you have to take ownership of your life. You can only do this if you teach yourself how to properly make decisions without overthinking or unnecessary anxiety. Sure, think long and hard, but then with full confidence, take a step. Instead of handing responsibility to others, give yourself the pride that your choices have made you who you are. 

If you chose wrong, don't burden yourself with the guilt. Instead, learn from the process. The mistake was meant to teach you that not all outcomes will be on your side, but this doesn't mean you have to stop. 

Trust yourself and let fate do all the rest.