7 reasons why you struggle with decision making

Are you one of those people who struggle with making decisions? If so, most likely your head is speaking a different language than your heart. But, who are you going to listen to?

Maybe today your head and tomorrow your heart? Usually, that equates to no progress made and only confusion added.

I believe that humans live from the heart and make choices from the heart. And it is no different when making a decision. The head is rational - no-nonsense - and then the heart starts to whisper.

Which of these do you recognise?

I can’t decide because:

1. “I am worried what other people will say about it.” Could worries about other people's opinions be influencing your decision?

2. “I always want to have the best. There might be something better out there.” Could you be putting pressure on yourself to make the perfect choice?

3. “If I get it wrong, I am a failure.” Are you tying the outcome of the decision to how you see yourself?

4. “If I get it wrong, it will be the end of the world.” Are you imagining the worst possible outcome?

5. “This might impact me forever.” Are you viewing the decision as more permanent than it needs to be?

6. “I don’t know what’s best for me.” Are you unclear about what you really want or what matters to you?

7. “I don’t want to have the responsibility.” Are you worried about taking responsibility for the outcome?

Once you know what gets in the way when you’re trying to make a decision, you can start to tackle the confusion. Once the confusion has cleared, it may be easier to make the decision.

Of course, there are occasions where we can make rash decisions, or make decisions for the wrong reasons. If you find that this is often the case for you, consider if the following are true for you:

• I am impatient, and any movement is better than no movement. I want my mind to stop racing around in circles.
• I want to impress others.
• I want to annoy others.
• I don’t have to face the consequences.
• I know what is right in this situation.
• I know what is right for me.

Decision-making can feel easier when you are self-aware, know what you want and have an internal frame of reference. If decision-making is a challenge for you, there are ways to explore what may be getting in the way. Working with a coach can help you to do this.