Option Optimizers

The fact is, we’re expert deciders. We do it everyday, all day — summoning habits and instincts built over a lifetime to make choices both major (should I get married?) and minor (what to wear this morning?). But we get stuck as Wafflers when we overthink our options. Instead of relying on our gut, we endlessly process the pros and cons into muddy indecision.

There are at least three different faces of indecision. Knowing which one you’re prone to will help you find the best way to stop spinning.

1. Account-for-Everything Waffler
You’re great at seeing the in’s and out’s, and folks rely on you to help suss out all the angles. That’s you in your element: planning for every contingency. What you dread most is overlooking something, so you redouble your efforts to pore over every detail. That puts you at a standstill because there’s always one more thing to consider.
You need to believe in your ability to adapt. A decision is rarely irreparable.To stop spinning, trust that you’ll be able to fine-tune things down the line as stuff you couldn’t foresee becomes visible.

2. All-of-the-Above Waffler
Your enthusiasm is contagious. When someone needs encouragement in a new adventure, they can count on you. After all, life is short and has so much to offer — why not just say yes? What scares you is the idea of regretting the roads not taken. That’s why deciding is so hard — you don’t want to eliminate any options.
You need to believe in the power of putting both feet in. When you commit to something and see it through, it actually opens up more possibilities. Instead of trying to do everything all at once, use your gut to filter through the choices.

3. Accommodating Waffler
Empathy for others is your strong suit. Your openness and flexibility create trust and closeness within your relationships — and that’s important to you. So when it’s time to decide, you strive for the magic formula that will satisfy everyone’s concerns. But your fear of letting others down makes it hard for the right solution to materialize.
You need to see the goal as your guidepost. It’s admirable to listen to people’s interests, but letting them distract you from the purpose at hand waters down decisions. Focus on keeping the objective front and center.

Stop waffling by keeping your eye on the goal with this Option Optimizers worksheet.

INCLUDES:
PDF worksheet (1 page)