
Decision-making is not an easy task, especially when we have to decide on something important. Every decision brings with it positive or negative consequences. Therefore, it is normal to feel a little afraid before making a decision, fearing that it may not result in what we wanted.
But life is full of decisions. We have to decide whether to change jobs or stay in one that we don’t like but provides financial stability. We have to decide whether to have children or not, where to live, and so on. We have to make decisions about many things. This is why it is so important to learn to manage the fear of making decisions, to learn to deal with the uncertainty of our lives, and how to face situations with more calm and greater confidence.
There are several strategies that can be used to manage the fear of decision-making:
- Identify Fear
Fear is a necessary emotion, a feeling that helps us prevent danger. It is natural to feel it when we are in a situation where we have to decide. However, if we try to deny it or run away from it, it will grow, bringing discomfort and probably negative consequences. Identifying, accepting, and feeling this fear will help us integrate it and understand where it comes from in order to manage it. - Accept Uncertainty
Uncertainty is always present in our lives; we cannot control everything since there are circumstances that are out of our hands. That is why we must learn to accept uncertainty and understand that in life there are always things beyond our control and beyond the control of others. We must have more confidence in our ability to choose and in our ability to face the consequences of our decisions. - What Is the Worst That Can Happen?
Anxiety and fear during decision-making cause our minds to be invaded by many pessimistic thoughts. All kinds of catastrophes come to mind, situations we don’t want to find ourselves in, and scenarios we want to avoid at all costs. A good way to deal with these fears is to ask ourselves, “What is the worst that can happen?” When we ask ourselves this question, we can put a face and a name to our fears, associate them with concrete consequences, and see that they may not be so bad. The best thing we can do is make a decision, release the stress of procrastination, and take action. - Learn to Feel Capable of Making Good Decisions
The fear of making decisions and the passive response of waiting for time to decide for us can lead to a very limiting situation. In life, you have to be very unlucky for everything you decide to go wrong. It’s true that mistakes happen, but we must learn to feel capable of making decisions and be aware that as long as we reflect on what we are going to do, it is quite likely that we will have more positive consequences than negative ones.
Fear of decision-making is a common and natural experience, but it doesn’t have to paralyse us. By identifying our fears, accepting the inherent uncertainty of life, considering the worst-case scenarios, and building confidence in our decision-making abilities, we can manage and overcome this fear. Making informed and thoughtful decisions, even in the face of fear, allows us to navigate our lives with greater calmness and security, ultimately leading to more fulfilling and empowered experiences.