How to Overcome Indecision | Nuala Walsh | TEDxUniversityofSalford

Summary

The video script narrates the parable of a 14th-century donkey that dies from indecision, mirroring the dilemmas faced by individuals in the 21st century. The speaker, a behavioral scientist with 30 years of experience, delves into the reasons behind indecision and offers three science-based techniques to overcome it. The essence lies in reframing one's perspective on the decision-making process: by making the decision seem smaller (proportional frame), by considering the long-term implications (temporal frame), and by positively framing the decision despite its difficulty (emotional frame). The script emphasizes that indecision stems from a fear of making the wrong choice and a desire for certainty. It concludes with the 'probability test', a method to evaluate the worst-case scenario, its likelihood, and one's response to it, thereby providing a pathway to making decisions with confidence.

Takeaways

• 📚 The parable of the indecisive donkey from the 14th century serves as a metaphor for modern-day indecision, where the fear of making a wrong choice can lead to inaction and missed opportunities.
• 🔍 Indecision is common across all ages and backgrounds, affecting individuals regardless of their wealth or status, and is often driven by a fear of making the wrong choice and a desire for certainty.
• 🧠 Behavioral scientists have studied decision-making extensively, but few focus on how to make any decision when feeling mentally stuck, rather than just better or smarter decisions.
• 🤔 The nature of indecision is explored, showing that it's not just complex decisions that cause us to hesitate, but also everyday choices like what to wear or watch.
• 🔢 It's estimated that we make around 35,000 decisions daily, with 95% of them being made unconsciously, highlighting the weight of expectation we place on ourselves and others.
• 🌐 The fear of making a wrong decision is universal, and it can have serious financial, ethical, or social consequences if we avoid making decisions altogether.
• 🛑 Reasons for indecision can vary widely, from not having a strong preference to feeling overwhelmed by choices or time pressures, and even personality traits like wanting to keep everyone happy.
• 🔄 Reframing is a psychological technique that can help overcome indecision by changing our perception of a situation, making it seem smaller, sooner, or easier.
• 🌟 The 'proportional frame' suggests breaking down a big decision into smaller parts to make it more manageable, while the 'temporal frame' encourages considering how a decision will feel in the future to overcome short-term thinking.
• 💡 The 'emotional frame' involves positively framing decisions to reduce fear and increase the sense of control and confidence in making choices.
• 📈 Techniques such as the probability test, which involves asking what the worst outcome is, its likelihood, and what one would do if it occurred, can help individuals navigate through indecision by applying the principles of reverse framing.

Q & A

What is the parable of the 14th century donkey and how does it relate to indecision?

The parable tells of a donkey that finds both hay and water but can't decide which to consume first, leading to its death from indecision. It relates to human indecision by illustrating how the inability to make a choice can lead to negative consequences.

What is the speaker's professional background in relation to the topic of decision making?

The speaker is a behavioral scientist with 30 years of experience in corporate life, having studied various books and articles on decision making.

What is the main focus of most books and articles on decision making?

Most books and articles focus on how to make a better or smarter decision, but very few address how to make any decision when feeling mentally stuck.

Why is understanding the nature of indecision important according to the speaker?

Understanding the nature of indecision is important because it helps individuals navigate their way out of the mental maze and make decisions more effectively.

How many decisions do people make on average per day, and what percentage of them are made unconsciously?

People make at least 35,000 decisions every day, with 95% of them being made unconsciously.

What are the three inner voices that determine how long one stays in the maze of indecision?

The three inner voices are the thoughts that the decision is too big to handle, too far in the future to deal with now, or too hard and not wanting to deal with it.

What is the concept of reframing and how does it apply to overcoming indecision?

Reframing is a psychological technique where one changes their perception of a situation. In the context of indecision, it involves consciously altering one's perspective on the dilemma to make it seem smaller, sooner, and easier, thus facilitating decision-making.

Can you explain the 'Proportional Frame' technique mentioned in the script?

The 'Proportional Frame' technique involves taking a large decision and making it feel smaller. This can be done by focusing on fewer factors, deconstructing the problem, or sharing the decision-making process with others.

What is the 'Temporal Frame' and how does it help with decision-making?

The 'Temporal Frame' is about shifting one's thinking from the present to the future. It involves asking how a decision will feel in two weeks, months, or years, and visualizing one's future self to make a decision in the present.

What is the 'Emotion Frame' and how does it relate to decision-making?

The 'Emotion Frame' deals with the fear and emotional aspects of decision-making. It involves positively framing the decision to reduce the sense of fear, finality, and foreboding associated with making a choice.

What is the 'Probability Test' technique and how does it work?

The 'Probability Test' is a three-step technique where one asks: What's the worst that could happen if I make this decision? What is the likelihood of this happening? And if it happens, what will I do about it? This helps to visualize the worst-case scenario, assess the probability, and plan a response, making the decision easier.

How does the speaker suggest redefining indecision to make better decisions?

The speaker suggests viewing indecision not as a paralyzing problem but as an opportunity to gain a broader perspective. This reframing can lead to making better, smarter decisions.