Nothing so exhausting as indecision by Barsha Nag Bhowmick

Nothing so exhausting as indecision by Barsha Nag Bhowmick

Topic: Nothing so exhausting as indecision

Writter:  Barsha Nag Bhowmick

Publish Date: Monday, 18 December 2017

Published on : The Times of India

Nothing so exhausting as indecision

I’m plagued with indecision in my life. I can’t figure out what to order in a restaurant. ~Chuck Close

Decisions are required in almost all aspects of our lives, however simple it may be, like deciding what to wear for work or deciding whether to invest in stock market or even extreme situations about life and death. Decisions are about options and choosing from among the options wisely, so as to optimize the results. It is a complex thinking process, which requires synchronization of other cognitive functions such as memory, assessment of risk, motivation and reasoning. And the lack of it, that is indecisiveness — is one of the most debilitating causes of unhappiness in life.

Nothing is so exhausting as indecision, and nothing is so futile, says Bertrand Russell.

For a person who is incapable of taking decisions, the world is stressful, somewhat harsh and an unhappy place to live in. We all go through periods of indecisiveness, so it is a common problem. But, when it becomes chronic, it is disturbing and difficult to resolve.

Indecision becomes a bad thing when it lasts too long. Indecision can sometimes become decision by default. If you decide not to decide, you give up your power of choice. Someone else might be hired for that job you wanted or another buyer might move into your dream home.

Indecisiveness is a generic term given to the inability to make decisions. It is a common condition experienced in different phases of life, when we are faced with challenges. These may involve difficult situations in which an important decision needs to be made. For example, choice of career, business decisions, financial investments, choice of friends, choice of a partner and so on. Often indecision and delays are the parents of failure. And there is no more miserable human being than one in whom nothing is habitual but indecision.

Steps for overcoming indecision:

• Forget the fear: If you can’t make a decision, there’s a good chance that you are afraid of something.
• Tune in to your emotions: Many people who have trouble making decisions tend to over-analyze.
• Practice on small stuff: To become an expert at anything, you need to practice. Start making little decisions every day.
• Ask yourself: ‘Will this matter some years from now?’
• Learn to trust yourself: List your strengths. Ask yourself if you can incorporate your strengths into your decision-making process.

So don’t worry. Making decisions might be difficult sometimes. But like any skill, you can get better at it with little practice.