Ever find yourself at a loss when it comes to making decisions? Here’s how to stop being indecisive—especially when it comes to money.
Sometimes, making a decision feels impossible. Here’s how to stop being indecisive—especially when it comes to money—and become more self-assured about every choice you make.
1. Pay attention to your emotions.
You’ve likely heard the advice to “trust your gut.” But if it were that easy, you wouldn’t hem and haw over decisions. Sherianna Boyle, author of The Four Gifts of Anxiety, says trusting your gut is no different from trusting your emotions—so start there.
“Your emotions are a guidepost,” she says. “Anxiety is your body’s attempt to direct you back to yourself so you can receive information that is more accurate. When we act impulsively or react quickly, very often this information is tainted with fear.”
2. Take your time.
We might associate being decisive with choosing quickly, but research shows that taking a pause can result in a better decision.
“When making decisions, check your ‘sense of urgency meter’—the feeling you must do something now,” says success coach Jaime Pfeffer, author of Uplift: Amazingly Powerful Secrets to Conquer Stress, Boost Happiness, and Create an Extraordinary Life.
Taking your time can save you—literally—if the decision you’re making is related to a large purchase, like buying a car. Don’t let the salesperson’s tactics force your hand. They may use techniques to play to your emotions and make you believe this is the last time you may ever get this deal. Don’t fall for it, and don’t let the urgency build.
“If [the urgency is] high—and you’re unable to focus on anything else and feeling on edge—anxiety has likely kicked in,” she says. “This is a red flag to step away from the decision for now. Excessive worry and fear actually cloud your judgment and often result in faulty decisions made in haste.”
Pfeffer suggests going for a walk or doing an activity you enjoy to distract yourself before making a snap decision.
3. Think strategically.
Perhaps you’re more of a logical thinker than one to “feel through” a decision. But feelings can actually help us in our effort to stop being indecisive.
“There are several strategies to promote clarity, such as thinking in a [different] language—if you happen to speak another—or consider the situation as a third party,” says career development expert Kate Wilson. “Each of these strategies works to help remove emotion and clarify your understanding of the situation.”
“Part of it is knowing more about the issue [you’re facing], which should give you more confidence,” he explains. “The other part is understanding what is driving your belief system.”
Knowing everything you can about the situation you face, as well as yourself, will give you the confidence that you’re making the right decision.
4. Ask who you’re trying to please.
Many times, the decisions we make don’t affect us alone.
“One of the reasons that people are indecisive is because they’re trying to please more than one person at the same time,” says relationship expert April Masini. “You may be trying to make decisions that will advance your career, or a decision a spouse or parent will be proud of, but it’s not the way you’ve wanted your life to go. Decisions will not come easily because you’re serving two masters—or trying to.”
Understanding your motivations and whom you might please (or disappoint) as a result of your decision and weighing those outcomes will help you move forward in the process.
5. Banish your perfection mindset
Some people are paralyzed by a fear of failing. “We’re afraid we’ll fail and lose something—usually time, effort, and/or money—or we’re afraid we’ll succeed, not be ready for what happens next, and then fail,” says RM Harrison, a business strategist.
Having what he calls a “perfection mindset”—the belief that we must have everything figured out all at once and that there can’t be any room for mistakes—is the root of these fears.
One solution to stop being indecisive is to replace the perfection mindset with “the belief that errors and mistakes are actually required,” he says. When you account for the fact that there will always be hiccups and setbacks no matter what decisions you make, you can plan for them and be more prepared when they inevitably arise.
6. Let go of bad decisions
“The majority of indecisive people struggle to let go of past mistakes,” says life coach Brenden Dilley, author of Still Breathin’: The Wisdom & Teachings of a Perfectly Flawed Man. “Failure after failure grooms them to second guess, overanalyze, and thoroughly dissect every decision they make. Eventually, they become paralyzed every time they’re confronted with a decision.”
Build your trust in yourself by not only forgiving yourself for your past mistakes (and poor decisions) but also by acknowledging when you’ve made a good decision in the past.
7. Visualize possible outcomes
Another option is to envision what might come as a result of your decision. If you’re the type who likes to see things on paper, use a journal to work through it. You could include positives and negatives, along with feelings you’re having. Does one possible outcome make you feel more anxious than another—and do you know why? Or, does another possible outcome offer feelings that are more hopeful? That may be your inner voice talking to help guide you to the decision that’s best for you.
A version of this article originally appeared on HerMoney.
What’s next?
Do you have an eligible account you’d like to roll over into your Principal® 401(k)? Here’s how to get started: Log in to your account and click on the 401(k) account card on the left side. Scroll down to the “Consolidate your accounts” tile and click “Start your rollover now.”