And this brings me to the topic of the post today. How many times do we fall into the Overthinking Trap? When we try really hard to find the perfection in things when what we really need to do is say, "I like it and I'm going with it!" or "I don't like it, particularly but I'm going with it anyway!"? How often to we spend countless hours analyzing? I'm not saying don't ponder the big decisions...sometimes we do need to analyze! This issue is determining when it is important to do so and when it's okay to just *go with it*.
Think about the things you might be putting off. Why? Lack of time? Not enough information? Potential rejection? Potential conflict? Take a few moments for self-examination the next time one of these decisions has you at a slow down or standstill. Can you resolve the underlying issue for the delay? Is deciding where to go on vacation (or to dinner) a life or death decision? If you put the names in a jar and drew one out would any of them work? Are you going to think yourself out of a vacation or dinner? Is that what you really want underneath it all?
Sometimes, we just need to make a decision and go with it...even if it ends up not being a very good decision in the long run. Ultimately, not making a decision or not moving forward is a choice in and of itself...just make sure if you are tabling it indefinitely that you acknowledge that this is what you are doing.
Tips:
- Ask yourself if the result of this decision will matter in 7 hours, 7 weeks, 7 months, 7 years...it provides perspective around the decision. If it won't matter in 7 hours, it likely won't matter in 7 years.
- Very few things are permanent. Because you go to dinner there tonight doesn't mean you will have to go there again. The paint color for the hallway...it can be changed if you don't like it. The car you're looking at can be sold. There are varying degrees of ease of change...but they are there.
- Put your options in a jar and pick one. Did you scowl at the one you pulled out? Did your heart sing when you wrote out the other one? You know what decision you wanted to make...intuition is fine. Go With It!
- Give yourself a time frame to ponder the issue. "I will have an answer by noon on Saturday." gives you a chance to research further if you need to but also gives a deadline so you don't research for years.
- Set aside a period of time to think about the issue and then tell yourself (out loud if necessary) that you will not think about this until that time. And then find something else to do.
