The problem, simply put, is that we cannot choose everything simultaneously. So we live in danger of becoming paralyzed by indecision, terrified that every choice might be the wrong choice.
― Elizabeth Gilbert, Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage

I’ve been making myself miserable by trying to decide whether to travel across the country to attend a professional training course. Go or stay? This course or another one? I created lists of ways I could spend the money if I didn’t go. If I did attend, what would I miss out on at home?

I was being held hostage by my fear of opportunity cost. This is the term economists use to describe when we choose one course of action and rule out others. Giving up those other options is the opportunity cost of any decision.

I couldn’t bear the thought of losing any opportunity by making a clear choice. I was an opportunity miser.

Misery = the feeling of being a miser.
Just as money misers hoard their wealth, living as if they were poor even when they are rich, opportunity misers hoard their freedom to choose – and end up becoming prisoners of indecision.

Maybe, like me, you’re feeling miserable trying to make a decision. I’ll tell you what I finally said to myself: Stop hoarding your life energy. Invest it in living your best life.

Make a choice. There’s no guarantee you’ll make the “right” decision. But when you trade indecision for choice, you’ll either succeed or you’ll learn something.

You may discover, like I did, that action is the best medicine for the anxiety you are feeling.

Are you feeling stuck, trying to make a decision?
How much of your life energy is being sucked into the vortex of dithering?

• This topic was modified 12 years ago by Lee Sumner Irwin.
• This topic was modified 12 years ago by tinybuddha.