top of page

Overcome The Three Obstacles To Decision Making With Ease

  • Dec 15, 2021
  • 3 min read

Written by: Moira Hutchison, Executive Contributor

Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.

Do you sometimes have trouble making up your mind? Indecision can hold you back from professional and personal success. You potentially could miss valuable opportunities and add to your stress levels.


While indecision shows up in many ways, there are usually only a few root causes. Let’s have a look at three of the most common obstacles and how to overcome them.

Obstacle One – Pleasing Others


Do you automatically go along with what others want or do you stand up for your own needs? Learning how to advocate for yourself will help you to make decisions that are consistent with your values and goals.


Some tips to implement:


Evaluate consequences. Imagine how different your life would be if you make yourself more of a priority. It may motivate you to practice being more assertive.

Flip a coin. While major decisions require careful thought, you also need to connect with your true feelings. Flipping a coin could potentially help you to recognize the results you truly want.

Seek feedback. You can still collaborate with others. Ask colleagues, friends, and family members you trust for their input and support.

Keep a journal. When you are trying to change any ingrained habit, you can gain insights by writing about your behavior. Spot the situations where you tend to agree with others regardless of what you really think.

Consider therapy. It may also help to talk with a professional coach or counselor. They can help you to increase your awareness and design new strategies.


Obstacle Two - Feeling Overwhelmed by Choices


Having plenty of options can be a positive thing. However, it can also make you feel like you are being pulled in too many different directions.


Slow down and ground yourself with these strategies:


Clarify your criteria. Think about your purpose in life. It can help you to eliminate alternatives that are inconsistent with your goals.

Limit your options. Do you find yourself wasting time and energy on trivial issues? Simplify daily routines by eating the same nutritious breakfast each morning or building a capsule wardrobe that allows you to dress in 10 minutes or less.

Think long term. Pay attention to the full impact of your decisions. How will your choices affect your future?


Obstacle Three – Dealing with Perfectionism


Do you hesitate to act because you feel pressured to excel? Developing realistic standards will help you make smarter and faster decisions.


Keep these ideas in mind to develop realistic standards:


Start small. Work your way up to handling project proposals and job offers. Practice by resolving what to cook for dinner and where to go on weekend outings. Each decision will build your confidence and skills.

Accept uncertainty. It is tempting to put off reaching a conclusion so that you can gather more information. However, you need to determine how much research is adequate so you can proceed and deal with other responsibilities.

Value learning. Remember that professional growth and personal development depend upon using experiences to increase your knowledge and skills. Any setback can be beneficial if it helps you to perform more effectively next time.

Take sensible risks. Give yourself credit for having the courage to take a chance even when you feel uncertain. Believe in yourself and your abilities. Concentrate on what you may gain and recognize that you may lose more by not taking any action.

Develop compassion. How do you treat yourself when a decision fails to deliver the results you wanted? Learn how to comfort and encourage yourself. Use positive self-talk. Meditate daily to relieve anxiety and build your self-esteem.


Take charge of your life. When you face your fears and focus on your goals, you will be able to make decisions with greater comfort and confidence.


Follow Moira on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Join her Facebook Community and visit her website!


Moira Hutchison, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine

As an Intuition Cultivator and Mindset Mentor, Moira Hutchison guides her clients to access the inherent power they have available when they ignite their personal trinity of trust, inner awareness, and self-confidence. Moira works with professionals who feel that there is something better in life for them, but they have no idea how to access it. However, they have a yearning to be guided by their intuition and align with their unique calling. What makes her distinctive and different in this work is that she has developed the ability to take complex energetic, and spiritual ideas and interpret them in ways that people find easy to understand, integrate and implement.

 
 

This article is published in collaboration with Brainz Magazine’s network of global experts, carefully selected to share real, valuable insights.

Article Image

Why Self-Sabotage Is Not Your Enemy and 5 Ways to Finally Work With It

What if self-sabotage isn't a flaw? What if it's actually a protection system, one that your body built years ago to keep you safe, and one that's still running even though the danger is long gone? Most...

Article Image

Am I Meant to Be an Entrepreneur or Just Tired of My Job?

More women are questioning whether entrepreneurship is the right next step in their career journey. But is the desire to start a business driven by purpose or by frustration? Before making a...

Article Image

5 Behaviors That Sabotage Your Leadership Conversations

Difficult conversations are part of leadership. How you show up in those moments shapes whether the conversation moves things forward or makes them worse. There are five behaviors that, when present, heighten emotions and make it nearly impossible for those involved to bring their best selves to the conversation.

Article Image

The Six Steps to Purchasing a Luxury Condominium in New York City

Luxury condominiums represent the pinnacle of New York City living, combining prime locations, elevated design, and unmatched flexibility for today’s global buyer. While co-ops dominate the market...

Article Image

Why You Understand a Foreign Language But Can’t Speak It

Many people become surprisingly silent in another language. Not because they lack knowledge, but because something shifts internally the moment they feel observed.

Article Image

How Imposter Syndrome Hits Women in Their 30s and What to Do About It

Maybe you have already read that imposter syndrome statistically hits 7 out of 10 women at some point in their lives. Even though imposter syndrome has no age limit and can impact men as deeply as women...

Why Waiting for a Second Chance Holds You Back from Building a Fulfilling Life

5 Hidden Costs of Waiting to Be Chosen

Why Great Leaders Don’t Say No, They Influence Decisions Instead

How to Change the Way Employees Feel About Their Health Plan

Why Many AI Productivity Tools Fall Short of Real Automation, and How to Use AI Responsibly

15 Ways to Naturally Heal the Thyroid

Why Sustainable Weight Loss Requires an Identity Shift, Not Just Calorie Control

4 Stress Management Tips to Improve Heart Health

Why High Performers Need to Learn Self-Regulation

bottom of page