Simply..deciding to decide....

18/10/2024

You will have noticed how much mental evergy it takes to procrastinate. And energy is everything, isn't it.

Over and over I go considering the pros and cons of this way versus that way, now or later, the rights and the wrongs, the ifs and the buts, the shoulds and the coulds and the maybes..I'm worn out before I have taken any action at all. I fear I have become very indecisive in even in small matters. In fact mainly in small matters. (In a crisis I am very decisive and clear thinking. Plenty practice this year!) But day to day I muddle along, spending a lot of time thinking for examle about what order to do things in.

The other morning I got so bored with myself I decided to decide. I would make three very small decisions and carry them out. It felt good. I made three more - the energy began to flow. By the end of the morning I was sailing along enjoying being decisive.

When I want to be, I am still a decisive person!

It just takes that first decision - deciding to decide.

10 Comments

Mary R.

18/10/2024 05:40:34 pm

Oh Freda, that was so articulate of where my mind is also these days! Thank you for that scenario … decide on 3 things and then 3 more.

Freda

20/10/2024 12:30:57 pm

I hope it works for you as well as it worked for me.

Susan inDorset

18/10/2024 08:12:15 pm

Similarly for me, Freda. This is a recent years' frustrating change for me.

A couple of thoughts: somewhere on the internet, was the concept that procrastination was a signal that one hadn't yet acknowledged/addressed ones feelings about a decision, despite having researched all the parameters. I have found this useful.

When I was dithering about which task of many to start, one of my friends said to me: "Start one thing. It doesn't matter which. Just start one thing. Give it your full attention. Do it to the best of your ability. Finish it. Have a cup of tea. Start another." I hear his sanity in my head (in his musical Leeds accent) when I'm in a dilemma.

Susan inDorset

19/10/2024 05:43:13 am

An afterthought, Freda.
Could it be that the stress of all the decisions that you've been challenged with and deal with effectively, regarding chunky issues, over the last year, are 'coming out' as anxiety over small issues?
Maybe you just need a long period of rest and recuperation.

Freda

20/10/2024 12:36:03 pm

I’m not sure I can put this down to this year’s event. I think I’ve been doing it for a number of years….

Freda

20/10/2024 12:35:05 pm

I take your point about emotions. Very relevant in important decisions but it is trivial ones which I am currently indecisive about! Good advice from your friend too

Karen

19/10/2024 01:42:18 am

Me too - is it an age thing?
'Just one thing' (thank you Michael Mosely) works for me - and it usually starts the flow.

Freda

20/10/2024 12:37:56 pm

I must think about that. William Wordsworth said.To begin,, begin.

MaryB

19/10/2024 04:15:29 am

My procrastinating has definitely increased as I've aged and often feel completely overwhelmed by what would have seemed a simple decision in years past. I try to apply the "Do the next thing " approach but still find myself mulling over decision choices.

Freda

20/10/2024 12:42:34 pm

I am really going to try to avoid this habit! I tell myself that is what it is, just bad habit that I can train myself out of! Wish me luck!

Simply..deciding to decide....

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