Why is that decisions can feel so hard to make?
One big reason is that we’re afraid of making the wrong one. But here’s the problem—you won’t know if a decision is “right” or “wrong” until you’re on the other side of it.
Decision made, consequence felt—it’s only then that you can assess the choice you made. So in order to not be paralyzed by the decision making process, you’ve got to learn how to get comfortable with two things: uncertainty and “being wrong.”
The first, uncertainty, is uncomfortable. It makes sense that you want to know as much as you can possibly know first. It makes sense that you want to be sure before you dive in. But no matter how much you plan, prepare or think you know—uncertainty is always there.
Your comfort zone IS comfortable. The idea of stepping out into the unknown feels harder than staying in the known—even when you’re not happy there. It’s why people stay in jobs they hate and in marriages they feel completely alone in.
But the truth is certainty is an illusion. You’re not in control of as much as you think you are. You can’t predict the future or accurately calculate the outcome. There are too many factors at play. The best you can do is make the choice that makes the most sense right now—in this moment—with the information that you have.
Consider your options. Take fast action. Trust in the choice you made, and hope for the best possible outcome. Stop that mental ping pong game where you’re just bouncing your options back and forth, and back and forth. Decide and go.
This gets easier when you get more comfortable with the idea of “being wrong.”
We all make the best decisions we can in any given moment, but sometimes they don’t work out in your favor. That doesn’t mean that you made the wrong choice—even if it feels that way.
In order to start feeling okay with “being wrong” you have to be okay with making mistakes. And to know that making a mistake doesn’t define you. You’re human and will make a lot of mistakes—that’s okay.
Feeling like you’e “wrong” or made a “bad” decision feels so crappy because you make it mean that you’re bad, that there is something wrong with you, that you’re stupid, should’ve known better or some other version of these beliefs—none of which are true.
Maybe you take a “wrong” turn, loose your cool, forget a meeting, throw away something you need, bounce a check or whatever – the list of potential mishaps is extensive.
Own up to it. Take responsibility. Say I was wrong. Learn. Grow. Commit to making a different choice next time.
In all fairness, the “wrong” decisions are often loaded with negative, costly consequences. It’s not fun! But the best decision makers are able to confidently navigate this. They have the mindset that it’s all going to be fine no matter how things play out.
Being a confident decision maker is something to strive for because it allows you to take action and keep things moving in your life. You’re more likely to get to where you want to go when you’re willing to consistently take decisive action. The more decisive you are, the more trust you have in yourself.
That trust is gold. It’s the exact thing that allows you to create the life you want to live. It makes it possible for you to be who you are and to step into your big dreams with confidence. Sure you might falter, you might even fall, but you know that you can get back up—so you do. As long as you keep getting up and going for it, you’re sure to end up somewhere pretty freaking amazing.
Where do you want to go in this lifetime? All it takes to get there is for you to decide to become a confident decision maker—dream into it and get to it.