Are you indecisive? You may be wondering how to tell if you are or what that means. Well, perhaps we should start with what it means to be decisive first and then go from there. When you are decisive, what you choose to do is a choice that has been well thought out and researched. Then, when acting on it, you did what seemed most appropriate at the time.
If you are indecisive, instead of taking control of whatever decision has been placed in front of you, you will either do nothing or choose one of the possible outcomes without considering any other options. As a result, something known as "analysis paralysis" may occur. In other words, by overanalysing every little thing, what is likely to happen is confusion and inaction, since there are just too many possibilities as to what could happen.
Let's say you want to get a particular job, but instead of going for it, you spend hours researching what other jobs are out there, which opportunities you should consider before selecting this one, or if it would even be the best choice for you, because you fear making the wrong decision.
What Causes Indecisiveness?
The reasons for your indecision could be quite varied, but perhaps everyone will agree on how frustrating it can be when what you intend to do doesn't come to fruition. Worrying too much over what may or may not happen makes us indecisive and unsure of ourselves; this leads to no action, which leads us straight back to worrying again.
Being indecisive is what causes unnecessary stress and prevents people from doing what should be done. It stops us dead in our tracks, so we end up wasting time that could have been better spent taking action on what we want to do so that we can get results than nothing at all.
Is Being Indecisive a Mental Disorder?
Indecision is something we will all face at some point in our lives, but it shouldn't become a habit that prevents us from taking that next step in every situation. Being indecisive simply means that you have difficulty making decisions, whether for the short or long term.
You could be indecisive when it comes to what you want to wear to work or what to eat for dinner or what movie to watch tonight. As insignificant as it may seem, when you add up all of the instances when you were indecisive, they can become quite an issue.
When your indecision starts affecting your day-to-day activities, especially your work, hobbies and family life, you may need to seek help from a mental health professional who specialises in aboulomania, a psychological disorder in adults that is associated with several mental health disorders such as anxiety disorder, major depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and borderline personality disorder, among others.
People who suffer from aboulomania have difficulty making decisions without consulting others. One theory holds that this condition is the result of a stifled childhood, where one had little freedom to do the things they wanted, lest they be punished by their parents or caregivers. Because of their lack of independence, individuals who have aboulomania constantly doubt their abilities and are afraid of assuming responsibilities and making decisions for themselves.
According to one theory, individuals with aboulomania have missed the chance to fully utilise their prefrontal cortex, a region of the brain involved with logical thought and decision making, during their developmental years. This explains their irrational fear of personal responsibility and crippling indecision.
How to Overcome Indecision
In order to overcome what's been holding you back from taking that next step in your life, you need to change and replace your self-limiting thought patterns with positive affirmations. This helps you remind yourself why you want what you want and how nothing can stop you from achieving it if you put in the effort and time. A hypnotherapist or a life coach can help you out with this.
If you're caught up thinking about how to get rid of indecision, try taking a step back and thinking about how it got to this point in the first place. Once you recognise what has caused you indecision, follow these steps:
Make a list
Try making lists of things that need to be done, whether they are small decisions or bigger ones. Sometimes just jotting down what needs to get done helps ease the stress of having all these thoughts bouncing around in your head.
Set a goal
Another tip for being more decisive is coming up with small goals for yourself each day, month or year to work toward. Try planning what you will wear tomorrow or what you are going to eat for dinner tonight so that maybe it won't seem so difficult when the time comes!
Be Time Specific
Instead of putting everything on a general list, make a daily schedule that includes specific times for specific activities. Refer to this list every day until you become accustomed to it.
There are many ways you can overcome indecisiveness and make progress in your life. When it comes to your family, health, finances and career, don't be indecisive. This may have adverse effects on your life and can sometimes put you in an awkward position with others. Sometimes all it takes is a step back to reassess what has been going on to come up with a decision everyone can agree on.
