With so many choices facing you every day, trying to make up your mind can leave you gnawing your nails to the bone. Ironically, it can also paralyse your decision-making ability.
‘You’d think having options would be a good thing, but having too many alternatives creates a lot of pressure to make that one perfect selection,’ explains Barry Schwartz, author of
The Paradox Of Choice: Why More is Less (HarperCollins Publishers). ‘All these choices diminish our confidence, so we end up regretting our decisions, or not making them at all.’
To put an end to all that, follow our five-point plan for choices you’ll be glad you made.
Dilemma Buster #1:
Go With Your Gut Instinct |
‘Having a grass-is-greener attitude is human nature, but surrendering to it means you never really feel satisfied,’ says Schwartz. To ditch your ‘what if’ anxiety, stop looking at the alternatives once your mind is made up. ‘The key is to concentrate on enjoying what you have, not what you may have missed.’
Another way to prevent what has been dubbed ‘post-decision regret’, is to adopt ‘an attitude of gratitude’, says Schwartz. Look at the positive points of your decision.’
That’s what Lauri, 31, did when she splurged on a new couch. ‘I was driving myself mad trying to pick the perfect couch, as it’s a major investment,’ she says. ‘After going through every interiors magazine and looking in shops, I finally picked one I loved. Normally I’d continue looking, torturing myself with what I didn’t get, but I decided not to put myself through that. And you know what? I’ve ended up with a couch I really love.’ |
Dilemma Buster #2:
Decide Like a Man |
Dilemma Buster #3:
Ask The Right People For Advice |
Dilemma Buster #4:
Dump Your Pro/Con List |
Dilemma Buster #5:
Stop When You’re Happy |