Just decide.
Have you ever needed to make a decision about something but you allowed yourself to be indecisive about it instead?
This could look like overanalyzing the pros and cons, asking other people for their opinion more than once, doing “more” research, switching back and forth between one decision and another, and procrastinating on taking action.
It can be worrying about whether it’s the “right” or “wrong” choice.
So we let ourselves stay in the mode of “I don’t know” or “I’m not sure.”
Our brains want to keep us safe and staying in “I don’t know” or “I’m not sure” is one way it does this.
When we keep telling ourselves “I don’t know” or “I need more information” or “How will I know this is the right choice?” we block ourselves from deciding, because deciding can be scary.
Deciding means we will have to take action.
Deciding means stepping into the unknown.
Deciding means we could potentially fail.
Deciding means possibly having a difficult conversation.
Deciding means we may have to take on more responsibility.
Deciding means we may be successful beyond our wildest dreams.
All of that can feel scary. And all of that will also help us grow if we’re willing to see our decision as an opportunity for growth. If we’re willing to learn what there is to learn from this choice, even if it ends up being the “wrong” choice.
Personally, I don’t believe in “wrong” choices–they’re just experiences to learn from. And we can always change our minds.
Also, think about how much energy goes into being undecided. Our brains keep going over and over the options, the pros and cons, the potential outcomes, the worst-case scenarios, etc.–sometimes for hours or days or weeks. For the same decision.
That’s a lot of brain space that could be used for more productive means. Like creating the life we want. But instead, we think and think without creating forward momentum from all that thinking.
One thing that is powerful when making decisions is to like our reasons. Are we making this decision because it’s the “easy” choice, where we don’t have to stretch or expand ourselves? Are we making this choice from a place of self-love or self-sabotage?
When we like our reasons for our decision, there is liberation in deciding.
We won’t know what will happen until we decide and take the next steps.
Your turn: Do you recognize when your brain is keeping you safe by being stuck in “I don’t know” or “I’m not sure”? Are you willing to just decide instead, to like your reasons for your decision, and to have your own back?
Will this choice move you toward an inspiring future or will it keep you stuck in the past? What’s the worst-case scenario if you make the decision you want to make? How will you be able to survive it?
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