How can you overcome the fear of making the wrong decision?

Initially, when you avoid making a decision, it might feel like you're dodging the responsibility that comes with it. But here's the twist: not deciding is a decision in itself – a choice to step back. So, the impact of that inaction still rests on your shoulders. Recognising this fact is a powerful way to tackle the fear of making the wrong decision.

To overcome the fear of making the wrong decision: 1. Accept that mistakes are a natural part of the learning process. 2. Gather as much information as possible before making a decision. 3. Consider the worst-case scenario to understand the potential risks. 4. Break down decisions into smaller steps to make them more manageable. 5. Reflect on past successful decisions to build confidence. 6. Seek advice from mentors or peers when in doubt. 7. After making a decision, commit to it and monitor the outcomes for future learning. These steps help to manage the fear associated with decision-making by promoting a growth mindset and a pragmatic approach to problem-solving.

Fear is commonly rooted in the impact of our saboteurs, or inner critics. Inner critics develop throughout our lives and can hinder us from living and leading in our purpose, developing strong relationships, and sustaining our health. A very powerful and effective first step in lowering the voices of our inner critics is to recognize when they show up. This recognition allows us to take note of their negative effects on our actions and reactions. A shift in mindset from one of being a victim to our inner critics to being in control takes intentional practice but can be accomplished.

Overcoming the fear of making wrong decisions involves accepting imperfection and embracing a growth mindset. Set realistic expectations, gather as much information related to the issues as possible, consider the pros and cons, and discuss matters with mentors or seniors. Acknowledge that each issue is unique, and decisions cannot be solely based on past experiences; a combination of past experiences and understanding the issues in their realistic form is essential. When faced with a decision, avoid panic, stay calm, and strive to understand the issues deeply. Practice decision-making skills regularly, even with small matters.

One thing that used to confuse me immensely was how to distinguish between intuition and instinct. We can tend to use the two definitions interchangeably yet they're quite different: intuition can be classified as the true voice of our inner wisdom. As our inner compass, that guides us around the world. It's driven by inner knowing. The flip side of that coin is instinct - the results of our survival brain learnings, over the course of a lifetime. No one external can tell you which one to choose. What is immensely relevant is to know which one of the two is in the driver's seat of our life!

An approach to becoming more confident in your decision-making can be to focus your thinking less on the actual decision, and instead focus on making peace with your capacity to deal with an imperfect outcome. Cultivating a belief that you can handle an unanticipated outcome, even if you're prefer to not have to do so, helps to de-emphasize the need to get it right, and promote an internal sense of resilience. Try this thinking on for size - "While I'd rather always make a perfect decision and get perfect outcomes, that's not particularly likely. What is likely is my capacity to handle the outcomes of my decisions. I'd prefer not to manage a mistake, I if I need to, Ican manage it." You're likely not giving yourself enough credit.

When fear is seen for what it is - thinking, it can provide perspective. Our thoughts create our reality but that doesn’t mean it’s necessary the truth. Making the ‘wrong’ decision is better than not making a decision. The more decisions we make, even if ‘wrong’, allows us to get clear with what is ‘right’. Progress is progress and more decisions is more progress!

Decision-making can be stressful, especially when you have a constant fear of failing. In order to make effective decisions, the first thing you should consider is what you've learned from your past mistakes. Then, seek the advice of someone on that matter. Finally, take that decision, keeping in mind, "Take the risk or lose the chance."

The concept of a "risk budget" is crucial in navigating uncertainty and decision-making in the workplace. Employees' risk budgets vary based on personal circumstances, decision-making latitude, and the workplace's attitude toward failure. For instance, a single mother, living paycheck to paycheck with an employer intolerant of failure, has a very low risk budget. Leaders can't control all variables, but by fostering a culture that celebrates risk-taking and failure, they can positively impact employees' risk budgets. This cultural shift can reduce the fear associated with taking risks and making tough decisions, ultimately benefiting both individual growth and company success.