Decision Paralysis

Hi there! It’s 2024, and I hope you are as excited as I am. With the new year, we often make lots of plans, set goals, and have ideas. However, we sometimes find ourselves spending too much time planning and not enough time taking action because it feels overwhelming. Today, I want to talk about decision paralysis and putting life first but first….

Weekly Inventory Check

As previously stated, the year has concluded, and by now, you should acknowledge that it’s already done. If you’ve been reading this newsletter for the past year and practicing agile (which I hope you are), it’s time to review the last year. Look at what went well, what did not, and your highlights. Use those lessons to kickstart 2024. So, be prepared with that info before diving into the new year.

Decision Paralysis

Living in today’s world is unlike anything before. In the past, people lived in more certain and limited environments. Whether it was a society following a single belief system, an ethnic community with similar appearances, or a world where jobs were mostly industrial or agricultural, life had a more straightforward structure. Information was also limited compared to today’s era of social media and the Internet.

However, having access to abundant information is not always a blessing. It often leads to decision paralysis, where the overwhelming amount of choices and information hinder our ability to take action. For example, planning for the new year might involve gathering information, but the endless search for more details can become a never-ending loop. The issue here is that our brains are not designed to handle the constant influx of information we experience today. Unlike machines or AI, our brains are limited in capacity. We are naturally inclined to let go of unnecessary information to make room for new knowledge. While our brains are marvellously designed, they have limits, and we shouldn’t force ourselves to process information beyond those limits. Instead, we should acknowledge our natural design and use technology to support us.

The problem extends beyond personal decisions; it affects broader societal issues. The abundance of information in areas like data, politics, and social matters has created a dilemma. People often feel the need to gather more information before making decisions, leading to confusion and indecision. The current era offers a spectrum of beliefs and choices, which is positive, but it can be overwhelming for individuals not designed to handle such diversity. This challenge is evident in various aspects of life. For instance, the advent of streaming services like Netflix initially excited people with the promise of an unlimited catalog. However, the overwhelming choices led to a paradox—viewers couldn’t decide what to watch, prompting Netflix to introduce features like “play me something” to ease the decision-making process.

The desire for more control over decisions is natural, especially in areas like education and governance. However, it’s crucial to recognize the necessity of delegation. Delegating certain decisions is not a perfect solution, but it arose from the need to manage the limited capacity of human information processing.

As you contemplate your goals or engage in societal and political discussions, consider whether the abundance of information truly helps or hinders. Always remember that decision-making under uncertainty is a reality, and no matter how much information is gathered, there will always be an element of uncertainty. It’s essential to strike a balance and make informed decisions without succumbing to the overwhelming nature of today’s information-rich world.

Want More?

·  This article talks about information overload, what it is, why it happens, and ways to deal with its effects.

·  This article explains how to tackle information overload, notice the signs (headache, fatigue), reassure yourself and reserve brain energy by organizing information instead of trying to remember everything at once.

·  This article emphasizes accepting the inevitability of uncertainty, even if it’s psychologically challenging. Those who ignore this reality tend to seek extensive data for every decision, including historical information about similar situations.

Reel of the Week

Check out our reel of the week. The 5 Second Rule is a concept introduced by motivational speaker and author Mel Robbins. It suggests that when you have an instinct to act on a goal or make a decision, you must physically move or take action within five seconds. The idea is that if you hesitate longer than five seconds, your brain may talk you out of it, leading to inaction. The rule is a simple and effective tool to overcome procrastination and self-doubt by encouraging immediate action.

Instagram post by @thisisvasl

The Weekly Vasl Podcast

Our Episode on How to take it easy with so much to achieve in a day? is out now! You can watch it below! This episode featured Tarra Stubbins, a seasoned productivity and time management coach with a background in assisting celebrities in maintaining their schedules. In this episode, we delve into various time management methods and explore the practical impact of Tarra’s success throughout her career. She dispels the hype around list-making and multitasking, labeling them as potential sources of harm that may increase anxiety rather than simplifying lives. To truly grasp the insights we’ve shared, catch up on our conversation and discover the realities for yourself.

We are also on Spotify, Apple, Google, and wherever you listen!

The Round Table

We are kicking off The Round Table this month with a set of individuals eager to enhance their interviewing and communication skills for better job prospects. I’ll share updates on its progress soon—I’m genuinely thrilled about this initiative! The next session begins in March 2024. If you’re keen, feel free to join by signing up through this link.

Thoughts to Leave You With

I am not advocating for censorship, but I want to highlight the natural shift we’re experiencing as humans. We are accustomed to dealing with more uncertainty than information, but now we find ourselves in a world flooded with information. The challenge is that everything seems right, creating a sense of everyone feeling right, making decisions on issues like voting or beliefs complicated due to conflicting information. It’s not a conspiracy; it’s about how social media is designed to keep us hooked, leading to decision paralysis. Those in charge exploit this, knowing people are overwhelmed and less likely to take action. I’m not suggesting believe in conspiracies but encouraging you to take control. It’s not necessarily about having more choices but understanding that a limited set of choices might be more beneficial for achieving goals and leading a fulfilling life than attempting to know everything about everything.