The Myth of the “Right” Choice
Why You Don't Need to Keep Searching
Are you tired of trying to predict the future before making a decision? Do you spend hours, days, or even weeks trying to figure out the "right" choice, only to end up feeling even more uncertain? If so, it's time to stop searching for the "right" choice…because spoiler alert: there's no such thing. Instead, it's time to embrace the uncertainty, so you stop waiting to make things happen and actually take action. What you want to do is way too important to wait.
Good News: There's No Such Thing as the "Right" Choice
Hate to burst your bubble here, but it’s true. Because 1) you can’t predict the future, and 2) every decision comes with trade-offs and consequences.
This is really good news, people.
Trying to make the "right" choice is like playing a game of chess without all the pieces and who wants to do that? There will always be unforeseen circumstances and variables that can change the outcome.
I mean, have you ever made a decision and everything turned out 100% exactly as you had hoped? Yeah, me neither.
Life is unpredictable and full of twists and turns, and that's what makes it exciting. The pressure to make the "right" choice is especially impossible given how many options we have available to us. The reality is, we cannot possibly know what will happen. Every decision we make carries with it the potential for both positive and negative consequences, and it's impossible to predict the exact outcome.
The Pressure to be Perfect
The reason we put so much pressure on ourselves to make the "right" decisions is good ol’ perfectionism.
Ugh. I know.
We strive for perfection to avoid the embarrassment and discomfort of mistakes and failure. Sure, we all know, intellectually, that mistakes and failures are a natural part of life. (cue: eye roll)
But, have you ever made a “mistake” that actually led to a better outcome? We all have!
They offer valuable lessons that can help us improve and evolve. Without making mistakes and experiencing failure, we wouldn't be able to gain insight and adjust our approach.
More Good News: The Myth of Being "Ready"
And while we're at it, let's throw the myth of being "ready" out the window. You know that feeling when you're on the verge of doing something, but you're just not quite ready yet? That's called procrastination, and it's normal to feel a bit anxious or uncertain. But don't let it stop you! Trust me, you won't feel any more "ready" tomorrow, next week, or next year. The truth is, we can never be truly "ready" for anything. We can plan and prepare as much as possible, but there will always be unknowns that we can't predict.
And again, that’s as it should be.
The Solution: Take the Next Obvious Step
So, if there's no such thing as the "right" choice, and we'll never truly be "ready”, what the heck do we do?
Make the next obvious choice…obviously.
In my coaching practice, I often ask my clients to identify the next finish line they need to cross in order to move forward. Without exception, they always know what they need to do next. They might not know all the steps they will need to take after that, but they always know how to keep going. It's up to you to take the next step and embrace the uncertainty. You might surprise yourself with what you're capable of.
Embracing Uncertainty
Yeah. I know. Embracing uncertainty doesn’t sound all that appealing. But it's also where we can find the most growth and opportunities. When we stop searching for the "right" choice and instead focus on taking the next obvious step, we open ourselves up to new experiences and possibilities. So by getting a little more comfy swimming in uncertainty, we give ourselves opportunities to learn, grow, and evolve in ways that we never thought possible.
Embracing uncertainty takes practice - especially for impatiently ambitious individuals who crave guaranteed outcomes - but I promise you, it's worth the effort.
Trusting Yourself
Making the next obvious choice requires trusting yourself and your instincts. In your confident moments, you know you are capable and equipped to handle any situation that comes your way. Trusting yourself requires believing that you have the ability to stay tenacious even when things get frustrating, and that you have the resilience to bounce back from any setbacks or defeats.
The best way to practice of trusting yourself is to give yourself credit for just how much confidence and resilience you’ve already earned.
Bottom line
I implore you: don't waste any more time trying to find the "right" choice or waiting for the perfect moment to be "ready." Those are fairy tale destinations that simply don’t exist. Instead, practice embracing the uncertainty and trusting yourself by simply choosing the next obvious step.
And if that still sounds slightly terrifying, ask yourself: what's the worst that could happen? (y’know, if everything goes wrong).
And, then spend equal time answering: what’s the best that could happen? (y’know, if everything goes your way)!
Don't let fear hold you back from reaching your full potential. Take the leap and see where it leads you.