Uncertain? Consider This

Uncertainty

Uncertainty stalls decisions.

How will I ever decide? What should I do? What is the right decision?

I should do this; no, I should do that. Doubt and uncertainty set in.

I don’t like to make quick decisions, preferring to take time to analyze the situation. I think that is smart and works best for me. But sometimes, what should be the easiest decision seems to be the hardest to make. The choice becomes difficult to make. Why is it sometimes so hard to decide?

I have learned, that for me, the answer is that I sometimes fall into a mental trap called “complicating choice.” Researchers at Columbia Business School discovered that this tendency leads people faced with an easy answer to strengthen inferior options in order to make the decision’s difficulty match its perceived importance.

Even if the best choice seems obvious, I will complicate the decision if the situation seems important to me. Ultimately, the inferior options will be discarded, but not until I am convinced I have not made a hasty decision.

I may be over-analyzing the situation, but if I am ultimately satisfied with my decision, it seems worth it to me. Still, I try to consider the mental trap when faced with deadlines or decision stress.

Have you ever found yourself in the trap?

*Posted for writing101, prompt of uncertainty

Unchecked Fear

Uncertainty
Creeping closer, rushing in
Do I need to check again?

Doubt
Crowding thoughts, taking over
I better check again.

Stop!
Deep breath, trust yourself
I don’t need to check.

Uncertainty
Creeping closer, rushing in
Check anyway.

Anxiety
Inner struggle, inner battle
Go Check.

Relief