Decision Making Struggles
Ever heard of the term “decision fatigue”?
Decision fatigue happens to the people who feel overwhelmed and mentally exhausted from making too many decisions on a day to day basis. This can range from complex decisions such as which stock to invest in as well as simple decisions such as which phone case design to purchase.
If you struggle with decision making and suffer from decision fatigue here’re some reasons contributing to your increased levels of stress and anxiety:
1. Information overload!
How many advertisements do you think you see in a day? Um.. 20? Or maybe 50?
Did you know, according to marketing experts, the average person sees between 4,000 and 10,000 ads in a single day (https://webtribunal.net/blog/how-many-ads-do-we-see-a-day/#gref).
Yes, that’s a 4 figure number right there and while these advertisements come from various sources such as television, radio channels, online and print media, chances are you probably aren’t consciously aware of them. This is because your brain does the perfect job of filtering out these contents so you don’t have to make a decision to ignore or pay attention to every single advertisement that comes your way.
The downside? Being constantly bombarded with information from various sources, our brain utilizes greater energy to filter unnecessary information. There is no doubt we feel overwhelmed and tired even before making a decision.
2. Fear of making the wrong decision
People feel anxious about making decisions because they fear making the wrong choice.
Think about the time you unknowingly made a wrong decision which cost you a great life lesson. We as emotional beings remember most deeply the emotional experiences that made us who we are.
So while it is logical to spend just a little time reading and signing a proposal because you’ve done it a million times, chances are that you will spend a long time making sure all the terms and clauses are right before you sign your name there.
3. Lack of clarity
When we are not clear enough or confuse our goals, priorities or needs with the agenda of others, it leads to a struggle in making decisions that truly align with our values.
When you are certain of the end goal, you have a much easier time saying no to distractions and making key decisions that propel you forward to the future you desire to live in.
To reduce anxiety about decision-making and prevent decision fatigue, here are some tips:
1. Consider the Consequences
Who are the key persons affected by this decision?
What will be the outcome of making this decision?
When will the consequences be felt?
How great of an impact will this decision have?
Is this decision worth spending little or a long time considering?
One tip to decide if you’ll need a long or short time to make a decision is by asking this question: Will this matter 10 years from now?
2. Easy does it
Reduce the number of choices you have to make by breaking down complex decisions into smaller, manageable ones.
Ask: how can I make this easier for me to decide?
3. Set a Time Limit
Limit the amount of time and energy you spend on decision-making by setting boundaries
Ask: by when should I make this decision? Set a deadline and a specific time to make the decision and stick to it.
4. Advantages and disadvantages list
Creating a pros and cons list will help you assess the decisions easier as you see the pros and cons on paper instead of keeping all the thoughts in your mind.
5. Get support
Consult with friends, family, or trusted professionals for advice and support when facing difficult decisions. Delegate decision making process to someone you trust and follow through with their decision.
6. Take a break from thinking
Sometimes we overwork our minds, instead of cracking your mind to make a decision, engage in an activity irrelevant to the decision making process that will relax your mind.
Is the struggle with decision making affecting your daily life experiences? If you want to find out the root cause of why you are struggling with decision making then RTT is the perfect solution for you. To find out more about working 1:1 with me through the use of RTT method and get a permanent fix to your problem solving struggle, click here: https://emergedbutterfly.com/application
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