![]() It might be between two careers - artist and accountant - or places to live - the city or the country - or even between two people to marry - you could marry Betty or you could marry Lolita. ![]() Consider, too, that what you might call the “wrong” choice isn’t necessarily bad in the long run-especially if it’s something you can learn from-and it’s almost never worth stressing about.0:11 Think of a hard choice you'll face in the near future. But taking risks is a part of living, and making any choice is better than staying stuck, Maenpaa says. Chances are, you’ll regret at least one impulsive purchase and agonize over a “dumb” thing or two you said. You’ll probably date the wrong people, no matter how much you vet each suitor, and order the wrong entrée, even after scouring every online review. ![]() Regardless of your overanalyzing, you’re going to make a ton of decisions in life-some good, some not exactly ideal. By holding yourself to impossible standards of perfection, out of fear that you’ll fail or be judged, you’re only holding yourself back from growing as a person, Maenpaa adds. So what if you pick a meh show on Netflix and end up retreating back to that feel-good sitcom you’ve already watched three times through? Is it the end of the world if your manager thinks your question is stupid? (Hint: They probably won’t.) Even with tougher choices, like accepting a job offer or relocating to a new city, you can always quit or move again if the outcome isn’t what you hoped for. That’s why Maenpaa suggests asking yourself: What’s the worst that could really happen? And before you catastrophize about all the what-ifs, seriously stop and consider the logical, long-term consequences. Showing some self-kindness and compassion is easier said than done, of course. More often than not, however, one choice probably won’t mess up life as you knew it. “We assign so much outsized importance to everyday decisions, as if each and every one will alter the trajectory of our lives, or that picking the ‘incorrect’ option will make us a failure,” Maenpaa says. But rather than putting a ton of pressure on yourself to get it right -and then beating yourself up if you fall short-give yourself some grace. No, this doesn’t mean that you should make every decision lightly, or that you’ll never make a choice you kind of wish you hadn’t. ![]() That’s why it’s important to gain confidence in the process, which brings us to our last and most important pointer: Understand that there really are no “perfect” choices in life. Repeatedly asking for advice can be overwhelming (and c’mon, kind of annoying) for your loved one, and let’s face it: You’re going to need to make some life decisions on your own. Whomever you decide to consult, just make sure you don’t call them up every single time you’re dealing with uncertainty. “Looking at the issue in terms of more manageable and achievable steps can help reduce overwhelm,” she explains. If the possibility of picking the “wrong” path for your future is freaking you out, Maenpaa suggests breaking the decision down into simpler, smaller, and less intimidating parts. When it comes to higher-stakes matters, such as choosing your college major or deciding if it’s time to break up with your partner, figuring out what to do can be all the more daunting. We’re not talking about choices like which shampoo to buy or what book to read. Break down big decisions into smaller steps. So the next time you’re tangled up in what-ifs, keep these three tips in mind to overcome analysis paralysis and determine the best course of action-without so much stress and anxiety. Plus, the fear of messing up can not only stress you out but can also keep you stuck. No matter how much googling and ruminating you do, though, you’ll probably never know for sure what the single “right” choice is because (as you’ll see momentarily) there often isn’t one.
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