If you want to overcome indecision, start by changing these 9 behaviors

Overcoming indecision hinges on modifying certain behaviors.
It’s not about flipping a switch or making a snap decision. It’s more nuanced – it’s about recognizing and adjusting the habits that feed your indecision.
I’m going to share with you nine behaviors that might be holding you back from making confident choices. Changing these could be your first step to banishing indecision from your life.
The article is titled “If you want to overcome indecision, start by changing these 9 behaviors”. So, let’s dive in and start making more decisive moves.
1) Overthinking
One of the main culprits behind indecision is overthinking.
We’ve all been there – trapped in a loop of endless what-ifs, replaying scenarios, and getting tangled up in minute details. It’s like trying to find your way out of a maze with no end in sight.
Overthinking can be paralyzing. It clouds your judgment and keeps you stuck in the same spot, unable to make a decision.
But here’s the kicker – overthinking rarely gives you more clarity. Instead, it tends to distort reality and blow things out of proportion.
So, if you’re serious about overcoming indecision, the first behavior to change is your tendency to overthink. Instead of going down the rabbit hole of what-ifs, focus on the facts at hand and trust your instincts.
Remember, not every decision requires a lengthy internal debate. Sometimes, it’s okay to just make a choice and roll with it.
2) Fear of making wrong decisions
I’ve often found myself paralyzed by the fear of making the wrong decision.
It was a couple of years ago when I got offered two different jobs at the same time. Both were great opportunities, but in different ways. One was with a well-established company, offering stability and a good salary. The other was a start-up, risky but with much higher growth potential.
I was stuck. I feared making the wrong choice and regretting it later. The fear was so overwhelming that it almost made me decline both offers.
But then, I realized something crucial – there isn’t always a “right” or “wrong” decision. Sometimes, it’s just about making a choice and committing to it.
So, I took the plunge and chose the start-up. Was it risky? Absolutely. But looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing. It taught me that fear of making wrong decisions shouldn’t hold us back.
If you find yourself stuck in indecision because you’re scared of making a mistake, remember that it’s part of life. Mistakes can lead to growth, learning, and sometimes, they can lead you to opportunities you never imagined.
3) Lack of self-confidence
Self-confidence plays a significant role in our decision-making process.
Studies have shown that people with high self-confidence are often better decision-makers. They trust their judgment, are less likely to second-guess themselves, and can make decisions faster.
On the contrary, lack of self-confidence can lead you to question your choices constantly. You might find yourself seeking validation from others or struggling to make decisions without their input.
The good news is that self-confidence can be built over time. By acknowledging your accomplishments, accepting your failures as learning experiences, and affirming your abilities, you can start to trust yourself more.
If you want to overcome indecision, working on boosting your self-confidence could be a game-changer.
4) Procrastination
Procrastination and indecision go hand in hand.
When faced with a tough decision, it’s easy to say, “I’ll think about it tomorrow.” But more often than not, tomorrow comes, and you’re still in the same place.
Procrastination is a way of avoiding the discomfort that comes with making difficult decisions. However, what it actually does is prolong the stress and uncertainty.
If you want to overcome indecision, it’s time to tackle your habit of procrastination. Start by setting deadlines for your decisions. This creates a sense of urgency that can push you to decide rather than delay.
And remember, making a decision, even if it turns out not to be the best one, is still better than staying stuck in a state of indecision.
5) Perfectionism
Perfectionism can be a significant roadblock on your path to decisive action.
You might think that striving for the perfect choice would lead to better decisions, but it often does the opposite. If you’re always aiming for perfection, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment because no decision is ever completely flawless.
Trying to make the ‘perfect’ choice can lead to a lot of time wasted on analyzing every possible outcome. This, in turn, can lead to decision paralysis.
So, if you want to overcome indecision, it’s essential to let go of your perfectionist tendencies. Instead of pursuing the perfect choice, aim for a good enough choice.
Remember, done is often better than perfect.
6) Not trusting your gut
There’s a lot to be said about intuition. It’s that inner voice, that gut feeling, that often knows what’s best for us before we do.
But in a world that values logic and reason, we tend to dismiss our intuition. We convince ourselves that every decision has to be backed by hard evidence and rational thought.
While it’s important to make informed decisions, it’s equally crucial to listen to your gut. It’s a powerful tool that taps into your subconscious and your experiences, offering insights that your conscious mind might miss.
I’ve seen people stuck in indecision simply because they didn’t trust their gut. They had a feeling about what they should do, but they second-guessed it, waiting for a logical reason to back it up.
If you want to overcome indecision, start trusting your intuition more. It might not always lead you to the most logical decision, but it usually leads you to the one that feels right. And sometimes, that’s all you need.
7) Fear of change
Change can be scary. It’s a journey into the unknown, filled with uncertainties and potential challenges. And often, it’s this fear of change that fuels indecision.
I remember when I was offered a job in a new city. It was an incredible opportunity, but it meant leaving my friends, my family, and everything familiar behind. I was torn. Part of me wanted to take the leap, but another part of me was terrified of what lay ahead.
I spent weeks in a state of indecision before I realized that fear was holding me back. It wasn’t about the job or the new city; it was about the change it represented.
Once I acknowledged my fear of change, I was able to work through it and make a decision. I chose to take the job, and while it was challenging at first, it also led to some of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
If you’re struggling with indecision, take a moment to consider whether fear of change is playing a part. If it is, acknowledging that fear can be your first step towards making a decision.
8) Lack of information
Making a decision without having all the necessary information can feel like shooting in the dark.
Often, we find ourselves stuck in indecision because we feel we don’t have enough data to make a well-informed choice. This can lead to endless searching for more information, delaying the decision-making process.
While it’s essential to make informed decisions, there’s a fine line between gathering necessary information and analysis paralysis. At some point, you just have to make a call, even if you don’t have every bit of information.
If you’re facing indecision due to lack of information, try to identify what data is crucial for your decision and what is just nice to have. Prioritize gathering the crucial data and accept that it’s okay to make a decision without knowing everything.
Decisions are rarely made with perfect information, and that’s okay. What’s important is making the best decision with the information you have at hand.
9) Not setting clear goals
Having clear goals is like having a compass that guides you through the sea of decisions.
Without goals, you can easily get swayed by every option that comes your way, leading to indecision. But when you have clear goals, you have a criterion against which you can evaluate your options. This makes decision-making much easier and more focused.
If you find yourself constantly indecisive, take a step back and consider your goals. Are they clear? Are they specific? If not, it might be time to sit down and define what you truly want.
Clear goals won’t make every decision easy, but they can provide a roadmap that helps you navigate through them with more confidence.
Final thought: It’s all about growth
The journey to overcome indecision is deeply intertwined with personal growth.
In many ways, the behaviors that feed our indecision are mirrors reflecting our fears, insecurities, and areas needing improvement.
From overthinking to fear of change, each behavior points towards a part of ourselves that we can work on. And in this process of self-improvement, we not only become more decisive but also grow as individuals.
Author and motivational speaker Tony Robbins once said, “The only impossible journey is the one you never begin.” Overcoming indecision starts with recognizing these behaviors and making the first change.
As you embark on this journey, remember that it’s not about making perfect decisions. It’s about making decisions that lead to learning, growth, and ultimately, a better understanding of yourself.
So take that first step. Embrace the uncertainty. Because in the realm of decisions, the path to growth often begins with choosing to choose.