Buy the original | Buy a print | matte and frame available

The Fear of Being Wrong

When I hear people talk about their fear of decision making the number one thing I hear is fear of being wrong.  You can see it on reality TV dating shows where the person choosing is racked with fear that he or she might make the wrong choice.  You can see it in college kids trying to decide on a major. You can see it in people deciding on which house or car to buy. The list of ‘what if’ worries is endless.  For many it can be paralyzing, keeping their life from moving forward and being fulfilled in so many ways.

The Wrong of being Fearful

You may be saying, ‘Hey wait, being fearful isn’t wrong’ and you would be right. And you would be wrong. Why wrong? Let’s use this example. You witness the rape of a friend. You are called to give a statement to police. You are called to look at a line up of possible perpetrators. You are called to testify for the prosecution. Doing those things is scary and it is likely you will be fearful. But what if you are SO fearful that you won’t do those things? You won’t speak up, you won’t testify. What then? Turns out your fear could be the reason a rapist is not convicted and is free to rape again. That could be considered a moral wrong, right?

Procrastinator Excellente

I am a procrastinator in decision making compared to my wife Linda. I take too much time and put off evaluating. Why? Because it means I have to take action and I don’t want to. I am lazy with a bit of fear of decision making thrown in. But what I have found is I have a lot more regrets from not having made a decision soon enough than I do from making a decision too soon. For example, I have waited too long and missed deadlines in applying for art fellowships or competitions in a particular year.  But when I got my application in on time for those same things a year later, I certainly didn’t regret it.

The Lesson

First, know yourself. If you are a procrastinator or worrier about decision making, admit it and evaluate why. Then start to look at what it is you do regularly to sabotage good decision making. Do you rationalize and make excuses? You know if you do so just admit it instead of adding on the rationalizations.  Also, don’t brag about your indecisiveness. Nothing is worse than someone bragging about their shortcomings as if the bragging makes it ok.

If you want to be a a more decisive decision maker, there is only one way to do it.  That is to practice it. When the moment arrives to make a decision, be resolute in evaluating and deciding as quickly as you can.  Your ‘quick’ might be days longer than someone else’s so don’t go by someone else. Just go by your own history.  If it usually takes you 7 days? Do it in 5. If it usually takes you an hour, do it in 45 minutes.  In other words, be deliberate and conscious about your decision making.

You will become a better decision maker if you practice it.

Drawing and commentary © 2016 Marty Coleman | napkindad.com

Quote by Brendan Francis Behan, 1923 – 1964, Irish Author