Are you feeling stuck on a big decision? Discover five hidden reasons behind your hesitation—and practical ways to overcome your indecision and move to action.
1. You don’t have enough information yet.
Sometimes, we’re simply not ready because a key piece of information isn’t available. This is NOT the same as procrastination, although it may feel that way. Often, when we’re “doing nothing” (binge-watching, cleaning, or planting our garden), our minds are quietly processing what’s next. Learn to trust that limbo.
2. Doubt has infected your confidence.
Sometimes a raised eyebrow or offhand comment from someone we respect can plant a seed of uncertainty. I call this the Contagion of Doubt. These moments remind me to pause and ask: is this doubt revealing something I need to explore, or is it just fear trying to slow me down? Now, when I have doubt, I pay it some respect, but it doesn’t get the last word.
3. Lack of resources.
This may be time, money, or energy, and the lack may be real or perceived. This is difficult for everyone, and especially for those in jobs or raising kids. Greg McKeown, in his book Essentialism talks about the necessity of getting clear about what really matters. Once we do that, we often discover hidden resources or creative workarounds. For any project, even 10 minutes a day counts, and if that means going to bed/getting up early, that’s an intelligent tradeoff.
4. Staying on the fence feels safer than choosing.
When you are on the fence, you can see in both directions. Once you jump off and commit to a choice, you eliminate the possibility of choosing something else. That is hard. But dropping in to the flow of a great idea, project, job or event has its own rewards and unleashes the grit needed to break through any lingering concerns or fears. And choice yields new information and illuminates next steps.
5. Fear of failure (or success) holds you back.
Once we decide, that loud inner critic often shows up and has us wondering: What if this doesn’t work?
Try asking instead:
- What’s the worst that can happen?
- What’s the best?
- What’s my intent?
- What will I do if this fails?
- Sometimes even scarier: what will I do if it succeeds?
No matter the outcome, the best answer is this: I’ll learn, and then I’ll try again. Everything is iterative, and each of us are wildly creative— that’s how we grow.
At The Workbench: Some Coaching Questions for You:
- If you are on the fence about a decision, which of these reasons resonates the most right now?
- Take an inventory: What resources are in shortest supply for you right now? What resources are available?
- What does success look and FEEL like?
Resources
- Book: Essentialism by Greg McKeown
- Song for the playlist: I Can See Clearly Now – Johnny Nash 😊
- Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash
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