Figmentations

In this fast-changing world of ours, decisiveness is clearly the name of the game.

In the book “Blink” by Malcolm Gladwell, we learn that those with expertise in a particular subject matter can be quite accurate in their quick instinctual gut reactions to certain claims or situations.

And, conversely, those without expertise in a particular area of focus generally don’t fair so well with this kind of quick decision-making.  Hence, the phrase “rushing to judgment” doesn’t have such a positive connotation.

“Decisiveness is a characteristic of high-performing men and women. Almost any decision is better than no decision at all.” ~Brian Tracy

So, what do we make of this common advice that:  “making any decision is better than making no decision?” We could all probably readily agree that it is true that inaction, like procrastination, has let many high-potential projects go uncompleted or forever remain un-started.  But should that really be the only criteria we are considering here?

“Test fast, fail fast, adjust fast.” ~Tom Peters

Either way, in the end, whatever decisions we make are ours alone.  We are our own best judge when it comes to knowing whether or not a quick decision is in our best interest or not.

For example, salesmen often want us to make quick decisions so that we don’t talk ourselves out of doing what they want.  Yet, jumping on a sale isn’t always a bad thing, especially if you’ve been shopping around.  But, we all know, too, how compulsive/impulsive buying can quickly get us into trouble, too.

When someone rushes us to decide something, they want us to avoid coming up with and considering “what ifs”.  When they suggest we are over-thinking something, they probably fear we will change our mind about something away from what they desire or expect.

On the other hand, it is also true that waiting till we are ready to make “the best decision” will put us at risk of over-thinking things, since a “best decision” doesn’t even really exist (unless we’re talking about multiple choice tests). 

So many situations can really have multiple acceptable outcomes.  In such cases, we’re easily better off not worrying about “the best decision” but instead focusing on making a good decision rather than a bad decision, or a better decision over a worse decision.  And, hoping that luck is on your side can’t hurt either.

“I’ve found that luck is quite predictable. If you want more luck, take more chances. Be more active. Show up more often.” ~Brian Tracy

Either way, you can’t be over-thinking something that you haven’t given any or much thought to yet.  Thinking something through shouldn’t always be considered a bad thing.

The next time someone tries to rush you into making a quick decision by suggesting that you are over-thinking things, maybe consider being less afraid of over-thinking things and more afraid of under-thinking things.