Have you ever needed to make a decision but felt like you were frozen?  I think we have all been in this situation at one time or another.  The thing you have to keep in mind is “I have to move forward.”  Not moving forward and standing still is when you are left behind.

Imagine crossing the road and right there in the center you see a hundred dollar bill.  Coming up the road is a string of cars and they are coming very fast.  Now, you freeze trying to decide whether you have time to pick up the money.  The lack of decision has caused you to be hit by a car and the rest of the vehicles to be in a massive pileup.

Yes, I know, this is an extreme example but you can fit it into almost anything in your life.  What chain of consequences are there if you freeze from any given decision you have to make?

Dan Miller suggests you put a time frame on making a decision.  If you need to make a decision today then set a deadline and make it.  If it can wait two weeks then mark the date on the calendar and you must have a decision by that date.  Two weeks should be plenty of time to make 99% of your decisions and I believe most should be made within a few days.

At any rate, do not let yourself freeze about a decision.  Write down what you are deciding on, write down your options, and rank them.  Choose which one has to be made or which one is best if you have several options and then keep moving forward.

Photo Credit: Scott McLeod