Flexing your decision-making muscle

I’m starting to wonder whether indecision is an entirely Western thing. I’ve noticed that every time I have a pedicure in South-East Asia, the choice of nail polish colour is, not rushed per se, but expected to happen quickly.

For example, I remember lingering over a colour choice in Thailand a few months ago, thinking, “Do I go for racy red or apple cherry? Racy red or apple cherry? Racy red or apple cherry? Hmmm. Which one will go with my outfit for tomorrow night’s dinner? Hmm. Hmm. Hmm.”

“Excuse me Ma’am. You choose colour now.”

“Oh. Right. Yes. Um. Candy Pink it is!”

Has there ever been a time in your life when you’ve lamented, resented, wiled away hours, sighed or baulked at a proverbial crossroads – then been totally relieved when you’ve finally made a decision?

I certainly have. I remember when making the decision to become a coach and consultant and start my own business took me a good five months. How agonising.

Imagine how many doors I would have stepped through sooner had the decision been made earlier?

How many doors might you have already stepped through if you’d made that decision you’ve been struggling with minutes, days, months or years ago?

Anyone I know that’s successful (a subjective term, I know) makes decisions quickly. Most who are in a position of authority or running their own business and doing it well refrain from considering all avenues and researching their many, many options. Instead, they take a risk.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not condoning a lack of analysis, minimal planning or a rejection of caution. But don’t linger to the point of stagnation. If the day arrives, seize it. If the opportunity arises, grab it. Or not. Just make the decision to do either.

Granted, this may take practice.

Tony Robbins encourages us to think of decision making like a muscle: the more you exercise it, the stronger it will become. How powerful do you think yours would be if you worked it out regularly?

If you’re still struggling to make a choice, Flying Solo has a whole suite of articles to help the indecisive get a wriggle on. Start your on decision-making here.

Are you a habitual ditherer? Start giving your decision-making muscle a workout right now by deciding to share your thoughts below. And don’t agonise over what to say for too long, will you?