Measuring your decision-making confidence: Take our decision-making quiz and conquer the anxiety of choosing.

Measuring your decision-making confidence: Take our decision-making quiz and conquer the anxiety of choosing.

Life can be a whirlwind of choices, from what to wear to where to eat, and dealing with all these decisions can be overwhelming. Two categories of people handle this challenge differently – maximizers and satisficers.

Maximizers are the thorough planners, always searching for the absolute best option. While this method may seem comprehensive, it can leave them feeling drained and anxious, worried they might have missed out on something even better.

On the other hand, satisficers have a more relaxed approach, deciding on what meets their needs and moving on confidently. They don't worry about missing out on the best option, creating a stress-free experience for themselves.

Take, for instance, Chidi Anagombe from The Good Place. He's a perfect example of a maximizer, suffering from crippling indecisiveness. His indecision not only affects his life but also those around him.

When indecision reaches extreme levels, it may be classified as aboulomania, a mental illness characterized by an inability to make decisions. Typically associated with stress, depression, and anxiety.

To avoid analysis paralysis, try limiting your options. A study by researchers from Columbia and Stanford Universities demonstrated that when people were presented with fewer choices, they were more likely to make a purchase. Too many choices can cause mental overload, leading to regret and self-sabotage.

Indecisiveness often stems from fear. Fear of choosing wrong, fear of missing out, or fear of settling for something less than perfect. To overcome this, focus on trusting yourself and making decisions with confidence. Visualize your most confident self, making quick, calculated decisions, and repeating powerful affirmations to boost your self-esteem.

Ultimately, remember that you can only do your best. Make decisions calmly and confidently, accepting the consequences, and use each experience as a learning opportunity for the next decision.

Are you decisive? Find out by taking our quiz below.

1. You have three enticing dining options - Thai, Mexican, and Italian. You like them all, so you...
2. A. Let someone else decide, fearful of making the wrong choice.
3. B. Decide on one, second-guess yourself, and eventually end up trying the others.
4. C. Trust your instinct and choose one confidently.
5. When cleaning out your spaces, how ruthless are you?
6. A. Struggle to let go of anything, justifying why each item is essential.
7. B. Manage to sort items but end up keeping some that creep back in over time.
8. C. Embrace decluttering, finding it liberating to let go and make space for new things.
9. When you encounter someone who is decisive, it inspires you to feel...
10. A. Overwhelmed by their confidence.
11. B. Motivated to become more like them.
12. C. In awe that you share a similar approach.
13. When shopping for a new TV, you...
14. A. Delve into extensive research, eventually buying one but questioning your decision afterward.
15. B. Ask someone else to decide, ensuring there's an easy return policy.
16. C. Quickly choose the one that meets your criteria and is within budget.
17. At a brunch with friends, would you prefer a cafe with a limited menu or an extensive one?
18. A. Opt for the wider range to ensure you choose the absolute best dish.
19. B. Don't mind either option, but you'll spend considerable time deliberating.
20. C. Choose the one with fewer options to enjoy time with your friends.
21. After watching a disappointing movie, you think...
22. A. It's best to lower your expectations for future films to avoid disappointment.
23. B. You made a poor choice of film, feeling regret.
24. C. Everyone doesn't make perfect decisions – and that's okay.
25. When your boss needs a quick response about a team-building day, you...
26. A. Prefer to take your time, fearing making the wrong choice.
27. B. Admit to feeling overwhelmed and ask for help from your colleagues.
28. C. Suggest a day confidently, using the information you have on team commitments.
29. Booking a holiday to Bali and faced with thousands of accommodation options, you...
30. A. Spend weeks searching for the best deal, believing it is out there.
31. B. Set a time limit, two nights to search before choosing your top pick.
32. C. Go with your gut feeling and book the first option that feels right.

What your answers reveal...

Mostly As: Your constant pursuit of perfection hampers your decision-making. Use experiences where others confidently make decisions to learn and adapt their strategies. Try making small, confident decisions regularly to build self-confidence and ease your perfectionistic tendencies.

Mostly Bs: You are stuck in a loop of doubt and indecisiveness. Work to identify decisions worth deliberating over and those that are insignificant. Visualize possible outcomes, trust your gut, and don't let fear of making the wrong choice consume you. Focus on what could go right, rather than what could go wrong.

Mostly Cs: You are confident in your decision-making process, in tune with your feelings, and make decisions quickly. However, be mindful not to be too impulsive, take the time to evaluate options, and consider constructive advice when necessary. Empower yourself through knowledge, research, and talking to others, to continually make sound decisions.

How to become a more decisive you

1. Maintain a realistic perspective: Don't waste precious time on trivial decisions. Requesting more time for significant, impactful decisions is reasonable.
2. Strive for "good" choices, not necessarily the "right" choices. Constantly aiming for perfection can lead to stress and disappointment. Accept that "good" is usually good enough.
3. Know your decision threshold. Limitoption fatigue by addressing essential decisions when your mind is fresh and automating routine decisions.
4. Adopt the "Aim, Ready, Fire" approach – set clear goals, prepare for the decision, and then act decisively.
5. Seek advice, delegate tasks, and share the burden of decision-making with others.
6. Nurture self-confidence by trusting your judgment and embracing uncertainty.

In the world of crafts and hobbies, a satisficer might choose sewing as a calming activity, confidently selecting patterns and fabrics that meet their needs, enjoying the process without worrying about finding the absolute best option. On the other hand, a maximizer might dive deep into the science of sewing, researching every thread and stitch, seeking the most perfect pattern, causing mental overload and potential anxiety.

In terms of health-and-wellness routines, a satisficer might rely on their mental-health practices to alleviate stress, deciding on techniques that work for them and sticking to them consistently. A maximizer, however, might find themselves overwhelmed by the endless options, seeking the ultimate routine that encompasses every wellness trend, leading to a struggle with choice and decision making.

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