"If making decisions is so simple and powerful, then why don't more people follow Nike's advice and 'Just Do It'?...Making a true decision means committing to achieving a result, and then cutting yourself off from any other possibility."
-Tony Robbins
Have you ever found yourself caught up in needless contemplation when faced with a significant decision, or even found yourself procrastinating instead of making a choice? Maybe you're presented with several appealing options, but you find yourself fixating on the selection process rather than the ultimate outcome.
Or, are you someone who frequently falls prey to the allure of shiny distractions, commonly known as the SHINY OBJECT SYNDROME? These distractions can swiftly divert your attention, causing you to lose focus and, as a result, leaving you feeling overwhelmed and with nothing accomplished.
According to Deacon Joseph Ferrari, Ph.D., "indecision procrastination" is a type of chronic procrastination,, where an individual delays making the decision and invariably ends up "kicking the can down the road," as a coping mechanism. This may lead to anxiety, worry, regret, shame, rumination, and ultimately can negatively impact one's life.
Interestingly, Dr. Ferrari and colleagues have found that indecisiveness is often linked to clutter and specifically to office clutter. This occurs when people cannot decide which items to keep and which to toss, and therefore, procrastinate in the desire to declutter their home or work space.
Improving "indecision procrastination" requires a combination of self-awareness, effective strategies, and consistent practice. The first step is to recognize when you are putting things off or not being able to make a clear decision.
The second step is to ask yourself, "What am I avoiding?" or "What do I fear will happen if I make this decision?" It may be helpful to write those questions on a piece of paper and then brainstorm a list of your answers.
Step three is to practice making small decisions everyday, and then step four is to celebrate the decisions you do make to increase your motivation and confidence.
"After making a true decision, even a tough one, most of us feel a tremendous amount of relief. We've finally gotten off the fence! And we all know how great it feels to have a clear, unquestioned objective. This kind of clarity give you power. With clarity you can produce the results that you really want for your life and work."
-Tony Robbins
