One of my best friends, Carrie, is someone I admire for many reasons, not the least of which is her ability to make snap decisions. She is smart and sensible, her choices aren’t random, and they are almost always spot on.
Me? Indecisive. I over-think everything and view options from so many different angles my brain holds a degree in contortionism. I have a PhD in the “what, if, then” scenario, and play each one out in my mind to its bitter end.
Interestingly, this problem rarely plagues me in business. I’m a think-on-her-feet kind of woman, making decisions as necessary and usually with excellent results. It’s in my personal, every-day life that I vacillate. What gives?
Carrie isn’t wishy-washy in her business or personal life. Her analytical mind bridges the gap with ease. How the heck does she do it?
A number of years ago our families met at a local water park. I stood on the concrete walkway debating the options for where we should plant our paraphernalia for the day. As I considered the beach vs. the wave pool vs. the little nipper’s slides, Carrie said, “The beach!” and she was off. No muss, no fuss, and we scored a huge beach umbrella under which to stash our stuff.
This was not a life and death situation, buttercup. This was a “pick a place, any place” scenario. Why did I complicate it? Why, oh, why?
As usual, I have a theory.
In business, most decisions adhere to company rules or protocol. Even never-before-seen dilemmas where (forgive this trite phrase . . . I’m cringing as I write it) out-of-the-box thinking is required, there is still a touchstone of prior practice from which to draw; after all, if you don’t know what “in-the-box” is, how will you know if you’re out of it? In personal life, the variables are less concrete. For us type-A personalities, the nebulosity of day-to-day stuff requires organization and cataloging. My endless debates of pros and cons aren’t wishy-washiness (okay, sometimes they are, but it isn’t my fault; I’m a Libra). They are my attempts to organize information so choices made will offer the most positive outcome.
When I put it that way, my indecisiveness sounds almost noble, doesn’t it? And now that I understand my mental contortions, maybe I will meet more of my writing goals, too. My internal debates regarding plot and character are tools for organization.
Are you a debater like me or an immediate decision maker like my pal Carrie? Or are you both, depending on your environment? And—the big question—does my theory of organization make sense, or is it just rationalization for being indecisive?
See you next for Book Blurb Friday –
Lisa
Me? Indecisive. I over-think everything and view options from so many different angles my brain holds a degree in contortionism. I have a PhD in the “what, if, then” scenario, and play each one out in my mind to its bitter end.
Interestingly, this problem rarely plagues me in business. I’m a think-on-her-feet kind of woman, making decisions as necessary and usually with excellent results. It’s in my personal, every-day life that I vacillate. What gives?
Carrie isn’t wishy-washy in her business or personal life. Her analytical mind bridges the gap with ease. How the heck does she do it?
A number of years ago our families met at a local water park. I stood on the concrete walkway debating the options for where we should plant our paraphernalia for the day. As I considered the beach vs. the wave pool vs. the little nipper’s slides, Carrie said, “The beach!” and she was off. No muss, no fuss, and we scored a huge beach umbrella under which to stash our stuff.
This was not a life and death situation, buttercup. This was a “pick a place, any place” scenario. Why did I complicate it? Why, oh, why?
As usual, I have a theory.
In business, most decisions adhere to company rules or protocol. Even never-before-seen dilemmas where (forgive this trite phrase . . . I’m cringing as I write it) out-of-the-box thinking is required, there is still a touchstone of prior practice from which to draw; after all, if you don’t know what “in-the-box” is, how will you know if you’re out of it? In personal life, the variables are less concrete. For us type-A personalities, the nebulosity of day-to-day stuff requires organization and cataloging. My endless debates of pros and cons aren’t wishy-washiness (okay, sometimes they are, but it isn’t my fault; I’m a Libra). They are my attempts to organize information so choices made will offer the most positive outcome.
When I put it that way, my indecisiveness sounds almost noble, doesn’t it? And now that I understand my mental contortions, maybe I will meet more of my writing goals, too. My internal debates regarding plot and character are tools for organization.
Are you a debater like me or an immediate decision maker like my pal Carrie? Or are you both, depending on your environment? And—the big question—does my theory of organization make sense, or is it just rationalization for being indecisive?
See you next for Book Blurb Friday –
Lisa
9 comments:
Good grief, I am an over rationalizer too, but I CAN make a split second (not always rational) decision.
I make snap decisions at work, which is a good thing, because if I contemplated and weighed and considered, the twenty nine-year olds in my class would run over me.
Unfortunately, I also make lots of fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants decisions when it comes to my mouth. That is NOT a good thing.
When it comes to where to go out lunch with friends? THAT requires a fifteen-minute discussion...
I'm still pondering "nebulosity." You do NOT see that word every day...;-)
I don't think it'll come as a surprise to you that I'm one of those decisive people who make a decision and go. Um...that's not always a good thing, as my latest novel plot had lots of wacky decisions that made absolutely NO sense. I need to channel your "what-if-then" thinking!
HUM, let me think. I am a bit of both but much more a debater I would say. I also am a Libra...you know those scales of justice? The balance of things? I spend a lot of time making things fair and balanced, seeking the state of level. However, my scales can swing like a clapper in a church bell!
Linda - Sometimes it is better to do anything than nothing, even if it is a split decision.
Sioux - Yeah, well, that lunch stuff is important. LOL
Cathy - Yes, you are a "make a decision" kind of lady. I doubt you take too many wrong turns.
Claudia - Worrying about fairness is a curse sometimes. My hubby laughs at me because even when I get rawhide treats for the dogs I make sure they are as identical as possible so one will not get a better one than the other!
Lisa, this is a great post! Being a Libra also, I can relate. My big decisions seem to come easily; there is a knowing inside that just comes to me. I guess that I do okay on both business and at home, but I'm not managing too many others these days.
Um, I shot you an email, but I can't get the BBF photo to copy off; I think that Mr. Lidell has it encrypted (I'd like to know how he does that!) Maybe I can copy it off of his page, I'll try.
It does sound almost noble! I can be the same way with a lot of things. Funny how certain things, like you though, I am more decisive. Guess we'll figure it all out one of these days. :)
My life is full of angst. Even setting the alarm is an exercise of indecision.
Pat
Critter Alley
Total indecisiveness with just about everything.
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