Are You Indecisive? (Solar Plexus Chakra)
People who suffer from low self-confidence often have trouble making decisions. Their indecisiveness demonstrates their lack of trust in themselves and their deep-seated self-doubt. People with low self-confidence don’t feel they are capable of making the “right” decision, so they remain indecisive.
Indecisiveness is also a form of anxiety because it usually involves a lot of fear and includes perfectionism as well as obsessive-compulsive disorder. What drives indecisiveness is the worry that they will make the wrong decision. They are afraid of being wrong or choosing wrong. Most people feel this way at some time or another, but when fear stops you from making any type of decision, it can be paralyzing.
Looking at the possible outcomes of the decision can help you. If you imagine the worst possible outcome and work through how to handle that, then no matter what you decide, you can manage the consequences.
Some decisions require you to give thought and reflection before choosing. This is fine as long as you don't keep procrastinating and use "more time" as an excuse to not make a decision at all. Instead of dragging the decision making out for an indefinite period of time, give yourself a deadline. "I can think about this until 2:00 PM this afternoon, then no matter what, I must choose." Sometimes having a deadline can help you work through the possible solutions.
Additional information is sometimes needed before a proper decision can be made. Collecting data and information to make an informed decision is an intelligent way to look at a problem. But sometimes collecting information can be a way to stall and put off the final decision. Decide what information is vital to making the decision and make it once you have collected that data.
In some ways, making decisions is a skill. You have to know how to recognise the factors involved, do research, weigh the pros and cons, and then know how to communicate the decision. Some people have never been taught these skills, so it could be ignorance. Another reason for indecision has to do with personal history. Some people have a long background of making poor decisions, so they no longer have the confidence in their decision-making abilities.
Yet another possibility is that significant others, for example a parent or guardian, a friend or lover may have constantly dismissed or belittled the decisions that the person made. Some parents mistakenly believe that doing everything for their children is in their best interests, instead of realising that kids need to be taught how to make decisions and do things for themselves.
Sometimes, out of respect for others, it is important to allow them to make a decision, especially if the situation will impact their life. However, other times, this is simply an excuse for not making a decision. Decide whether you simply want to "pass the buck" or if you believe it is in their best interest to make the decision.
It is important to remember that not making a decision is making a decision. Sometimes the best decisions happen because we do not overthink the situation and rely on our instincts to help guide us. No matter what situation you may be in, have confidence in your ability and your intelligence and make that decision!
Whatever the reason for indecisiveness, it is possible to get beyond it
The key word in learning how to be decisive is action. You’re going to have to make some leaps of faith and start making decisions – even poor ones. Know that going in, but also understand that the poor decisions may be just as useful as the good ones because they offer the opportunity to learn. Whenever a poor decision is made, take the time to go over it and figure out what went wrong. Was it the factors you used in the decision, the resources you consulted, or the inaccurate weighing system? Once you know what went wrong, you can correct it the next time. However, if you never decide anything, you will never know what needs to improve.
Positive self-talk can help you with your action. Tell yourself that it’s okay to make mistakes, that you can learn from them, and that nothing truly bad will happen. Toward that end, start with the small decisions, and work up to the big ones once you have more confidence in yourself. Remember that actually doing something is better than being paralyzed, and that once you start making decisions, the process will get easier. You will find that you’ll be making decisions in no time.
The upsides of indecision - Indecision isn’t always bad. Sometimes hesitation gives you valuable time to think about the situation. It gives you the chance to gather more information and weigh the facts. If you can’t make a quick decision, it may be a sign that the choice really matters to you. If you’re second guessing yourself, it might be a warning that you’re about to make the wrong decision. The important thing is to not let indecision keep you stuck forever.
The downsides of indecision - Indecision becomes a bad thing when it lasts too long. How long is too long? That depends on the circumstances. Will you miss an important opportunity if you wait? Could you lose something that you really want? Is the decision getting harder to make, the more you dwell on it? 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.
