Our lives are made up of choices and decisions. The problem is, sometimes we’re afraid to make a decision, and that can stop us in our tracks. So what do we do when this happens? Here are the 4 things you need to do to get out of this uncomfortable situation.

1 – Accepting the fear of making a decision

The first thing to do is to accept it.

But, all too often, we don’t accept this uncomfortable situation. In fact, as in many situations in our lives, we find it hard to admit to ourselves that we don’t know.

Simply because we’ve always been taught to know.

That’s why not knowing is so uncomfortable, because we can feel ashamed of it.

So instead of finding solutions, we make excuses. It’s “easier”.

So, I wholeheartedly invite you, when you’re afraid to make a decision, to take a deep breath and say to yourself, “Okay, I’m afraid.”

And, see already how being in tune with what you’re feeling is soothing.

Because it’s time for you to understand that being afraid is normal, that not knowing is normal and that imagining a thousand and one things, not to mention catastrophes, is normal.

That’s the way we’re made.

Now it’s time to learn how to overcome the fear or fears that have come to visit us at this very moment, for this very decision.

To do this, understand that your fear is not telling you to run away, to drop everything, that you’re not up to it, not at all.

Fear is telling you to “get ready to give it your all”.

By the way, fear is accompanied by an energy that makes us breathe faster to oxygenate our muscles and brain, and that makes us more agile both physically and mentally.

In fact, fear pushes us to look for solutions! So it’s all very positive.

2 – Forward

But what to do with the fear that invites doubt?

Indeed, what can we do with these doubts that drive us to look in all directions without seeing one direction, one decision better than the other?

Because that’s the problem when we’re afraid to make a decision: we’re faced with several choices, none of which is perfectly safe or perfectly pleasant.

In fact, there are doubts everywhere.

And, here again, it’s a question of accepting that we don’t know 100% how things are going to turn out.

Then, it’s about realizing that we’ll never be sure until we’re sure.

In fact, we have to move forward, because that’s what life wants.

We’re here to move forward, to experiment, to discover and to learn!

That’s why we choose to move forward by making a decision.

Let’s take an example: when we’re lost in the forest, with no way of finding our way, the best chance of getting out is to move in one direction, as straight as possible.

If we keep moving forward, but keep changing course, we’ll keep going in circles.

So, choose a course and move forward to feel fully alive!

3 – Act when you’re afraid to make a decision

So, once we’ve realized the importance of moving forward, the next step is to take action.

That means taking the first action, then the second and so on.

Because, often – and we’re not always aware of this – it’s not so much the decision itself that frightens us, but rather the effort it implies.

In fact, more often than not, we have the intuition within us to know what’s right for us.

Good for us doesn’t mean comfortable.

In fact, the opposite is often true.

We forget this in the adult world, where we’re repeatedly told that everything is dangerous, but we’re here on Earth first and foremost to learn, to evolve and to grow.

In other words, the right decision is often the one that pushes us out of our comfort zone, the one that pushes us to learn, grow and evolve.

And that’s why we’re so afraid of making a decision, one that will push us beyond our limits and put obstacles in our path.

Fortunately, there’s a simple way to stop being afraid.

It’s to stop looking at the top of the mountain, to stop seeing how much we’re going to have to learn.

By refocusing our attention on the very first step to climb.

Just the first.

And once we’re on that one, looking only at the next and so on.

By doing so, we forget what lies ahead, we play a little naive, to stop feeding our fear.

Because we don’t know how we’re going to get to the top, so let’s just start with the first step. The rest will follow, that’s for sure.

4 – Welcoming

When we’re afraid to make a decision, it’s because we’re in control.

Control over what should happen to us and how it should happen.

But that’s impossible. So let’s stop living in this false belief.

After all, there’s not much we can control in this life, because it’s full of surprises.

And let’s remember that it’s full of gifts.

In other words, let’s stop thinking it’s dangerous.

All too often, we focus on the bad news, the hazards, the problems, without seeing all the gifts we receive day after day from life.

That’s why breathe and open wide your heart.

Remember that your life doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.

Remember too that you’re not here to do what you always do, to cling to things that are bound to change, to vegetate in some way.

Follow the path of life. Embrace all that’s there: the good and the not-so-good.

In fact, the not-so-good is just lessons for you to learn, grow and evolve.

That’s why, to stop being afraid of making a decision, decide to focus on the positive side of things.

In other words, instead of repeating and torturing yourself with “What if everything went wrong?”, choose to repeat and follow your “What if everything went right?”

Find out more:

I invite you to read these 2 complementary articles:

Discover Leaving everything behind to change your life: 7 questions to ask yourself beforehand
Discover Changing career paths: 6 tips to avoid falling into the trap

I recommend this inspiring book:

The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less by Barry Schwartz

Barry Schwartz explores the impact of choice abundance on decision-making and the resulting anxiety. With insights into the psychological effects of decision overload, the book is relevant to those struggling with the fear of making decisions. It offers strategies for navigating choices, finding satisfaction and understanding the implications of decision-making in modern life.

This is an eye-opening book – it brings clarity and insight to decision-making.
I highly recommend this book.

Thank you very much for reading this article.

If you liked it, let me know in the comments.

Take care of yourself