If you’ve ever said, “my indecisiveness is ruining my life,” this one’s for you.
Indecisiveness can be a huge obstacle, especially when it comes to creating a deeply fulfilling life. According to Psychology Today, approximately 1 in 5 individuals struggle with decision-making – and when uncertainty strikes, it can leave ANYONE feeling stuck and stagnant. The good news? – there IS a way out! By intentionally orienting yourself toward a desired destination, and understanding your own negativity bias, you can break free from the shackles of indecisiveness, and start living a life filled with ease, abundance, and purpose.
Building Self-Awareness: Identifying What You Want
At times, answering the simple question: “What do I want?” can feel surprisingly difficult. We often find it easier to articulate what we DON’T want….rather than express our true desires. In fact, studies show that indecisiveness is not related to difficulties with evaluation — which means there’s nothing wrong with our brain…you just have analysis paralysis.
Here’s the thing – overcoming indecisiveness begins with building self-awareness, and gaining clarity about your wants and needs.
Try this! Take a look at these six key areas of life, and take a stab at assessing your personal preferences within each:
Personal Development
What skills do you want to cultivate? What knowledge do you want to acquire? What growth do you want to achieve?
Fun
What activities and experiences bring you joy and fulfilment?
Finance
What are your financial goals? What level of security do you desire?
Relationship/Family
What types of connections and bonds are important to you?
Career
What path do you want to pursue? What impact do you want to make?
Health
How do you want to foster your physical, mental, and emotional wellness?
Carefully consider what you want, in each of these six areas and try to gain a clearer understanding of your desires. This can help you lay the foundation for more confident and purposeful decision-making as you learn how to overcome indecision.
Orient Yourself: How To Set Priorities and Goals
Once you’ve gained clarity about WHAT your desires are in each of the six key areas, the next step is to orient yourself, by setting clear priorities and goals. You wouldn’t head out on a road trip without a map, or a specific destination, would you? – the same goes for your life transitions! Without clear priorities and goals, you may end up drifting aimlessly, or being swayed by what OTHER people desire.
So how do you do that? How do you set priorities and goals? Give yourself a rating, from 1-10 in each of the 6 categories – and ask yourself: “How on track am I? And “How successful am I at achieving my goals here?” A low score may indicate an area that needs to be prioritized.
Simple, right? – it is! But one thing to note is that priorities and goals can evolve over time. Life is dynamic, and circumstances change. So be sure to embrace the idea of shifting priorities, so that you’re open to adapting to new situations. Revisit and reassess your goals periodically to ensure they align with your current values and aspirations.
Embrace the Process: Clear Negativity to Find Clarity
When it comes to overcoming indecisiveness, one of the most important things to address is your brain’s (very natural) tendency to focus on negative experiences and thoughts. This is called your “negativity bias” – and it can cloud your judgement, hinder clarity, and prevent you from taking action. Not only that, your negativity bias can sometimes make it difficult for you to articulate what you WANT, as opposed to what you DON’T WANT. And these create limiting beliefs.
Why does this exist? Thousands of years ago, humans needed to focus on potential threats, in order to SURVIVE. Those who could predict the catastrophes, were the “winners.”
These days, we don’t so much need to worry about the Saber Tooth Tiger hiding in the bushes. But our brains are STILL wired to look for danger.
OK, so how do you start clearing the negativity around indecisiveness ruining your life?
- Practice mindfulness and self reflection
Take a few moments each day to observe your thoughts without judgment. Notice any negative patterns or recurring self-doubt that may be influencing your decision-making. - Develop a gratitude practice
Cultivating gratitude shifts your focus towards the positive aspects of your life….which can help counterbalance the negativity bias. Take time each day to reflect on things you’re grateful for. - Create space for positive desires and opportunities
Declutter your physical and mental environment. Simplify and organize your physical space, but also, think about ways to quiet the noise of the busy world (e.g. go “screen free” for first 30 minutes, and the last 30 minutes of the day).
Don’t forget! Embracing the process of clearing negativity is an ongoing practice. Learning how to overcome indecision requires patience, self-compassion, and a commitment to self-growth. By actively working on shifting your focus towards the positive, you pave the way for finding clarity, making confident decisions, and living a life aligned with your deepest desires. It’s all about making space for transformation!
How To Overcome Indecision With Lights, Camera, And Action!
Now that you’ve gained clarity, set priorities, and cleared negativity, it’s time for the final step: taking action!
Embrace the courage to step forward, and make decisions that align with your desires and goals. And remember – no decision is set in stone! In fact, taking action allows you to learn and grow along the way.
Still feeling overwhelmed about how to overcome indecision? Break down your decisions into smaller, manageable steps, and celebrate each milestone you achieve.
And hey, don’t hesitate to seek support and guidance from trusted friends, mentors, or professionals.
On July 11th, 12-1:30 pm EDT, I’m hosting a FREE interactive workshop:
Navigating the Path to Fulfillment: Mastering Divine Discontent and Your True Calling
– and I’d love to see you there! Save your spot HERE! And don’t hesitate to bring along a friend!
You have the power to learn how to overcome indecision and create a life filled with clarity, purpose, and fulfillment. So, lights, camera, action! It’s time to make your dreams a reality.