Stopping Brain Freeze - 5 Tips to Easier Decision Making
The other day, I was having fun driving around town and noticed all the homes being built. I took a moment to think about the hundreds of decisions an owner has to make. From budget, hiring contractors, permits/plans, plumbing, electric, to all the design details, and landscaping...oh my!!
It got me thinking of the potential challenges when faced with having so many options. It can lead to feeling overwhelmed, tired, dissatisfaction, fear of making a mistake, worry if the “right” choice was made, procrastination, or even decision paralysis (a.k.a. brain freeze).
Interestingly, being able to make decisions is an essential aspect of being able to feel confident and self-sufficient in life. At the same time, having a lot of choices isn’t always a good thing.
Psychologist Barry Schwartz calls this, “The Paradox of Choice.” His research shows increased choice allows us to achieve better results. However, if you’re surrounded by too many choices, you also end up with increased anxiety, uncertainty, and less satisfaction with your final decision.
Where in your life have you felt overwhelmed or experienced brain freeze due to available choices? What can you do to bypass the negative impacts of all the options available to you? Try these 5 tips to simplify choices and make decision-making easier:
1. Know and trust yourself. What are your core values and what do you believe in? Asking if your choice is in alignment with who you are will help guide you. When doubt or self-criticism kicks in, remind yourself of your past successful decisions. If you are feeling overwhelmed, step away and do something you enjoy, then come back. You will likely see more clearly when coming from a place of calm or creativity.
2. Eliminate the worst options. Usually, it is easier to figure out what it is you don’t like. Eliminating options helps you refocus energy on the other remaining choices.
3. Good things come in three. Narrow it down to the top three options. This enables you to see new possibilities and/or get more creative ideas. Rarely are life decisions either/or ones.
4. Know when good enough…is good enough. Instead of over researching an option, ask what is the 70-80% solution. Also notice the difference between big or small decisions. The level of energy between big and small decisions will be different. Ask will the choice impact you in a year; or what is the worst that could happen? Also consider setting a time limit, so the decision process does not become all-consuming or fill up all your free time.
5. Ask for help. Reach out to your support system or referrals you trust. List pros and cons with them and ask questions from a place of curiosity. You’ll gain more clarity and feel more energized.
It is fascinating that our access to so much information often leads to a greater fear of making the wrong decision. Which in turn leads to us to feeling like a hamster in the wheel. Easy to become overwhelmed and go round and round on what to choose…resulting in decision brain freeze.
If you want to get off (or avoid) the hamster wheel and feel more confident in your decision making; then use these tips to simplify your choices. Focus on one good enough decision and don’t obsess over the many decisions you could have chosen.
Happy decision-making y’all!
(Original article: Gig Harbor Living Local Magazine, May 2021)