August 21, 2023

How to deal with decision paralysis

cartoon of man on a junction where he could go left or right

Sometimes we prevaricate over the smallest decisions without knowing why. We feel paralysed and the struggle with ourselves saps energy and distracts us from more important things.

In the end, decision paralysis comes down to the fear of consequences; this produces anxiety, which in turn fuels the fear. It is a downward spiral for many people.

What decision are you struggling with right now?

To drive out the fear of consequences, look at this decision from these four perspectives:

1. What would happen if I did?

2. What would happen if I did not?

3. What would not happen if I did?

4. What would not happen if I did not?

Each of these is a subtly different question and you will get great clarity around the consequences of the decision by thinking about each in turn.

Write down your answers to one question then move on to the next.

With this new clarity, consider the benefits of making the decision?

What would you gain, and what would you miss out on?

How do you feel about the decision now?

My best wishes, Paul

Paul Matthews

CEO and Founder of People Alchemy

share this article:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

related posts

Cartoon of person lying down with a laptop and dreaming

New year, and new thinking about goals

New year, and new thinking about goals Maybe you’ve made New Year resolutions.Maybe you’ve decided not to bother this year. ...
Read More
pages of an open book fanned and a cup

Stories that shape culture: Turning learning into lasting behaviour

The stories people tell at work define your culture. They can be page-turning tales of courage in times of crisis, ...
Read More
Ferris wheel with Christmas decoration against a dark sky

A fairground ride into the future

A fairground ride into the future How has 2025 been for you? A roller coaster ride, or a more predictable ...
Read More
finger print in blue and green tones

Your emotional fingerprint

People talk about you behind your back. What do they say? When you pick up a glass, you leave a ...
Read More

search blog

Get your free weekly tip

You agree that we can keep a record of your details, and send you other occasional offers. See our Privacy Policy