Each morning and like most mornings I say a small prayer thanking the Most High for gifting me another day to do great things etc etc. I think about all the things and people I am grateful for and then get on with my day.
Yesterday, after my quiet meditation time, instead of reaching for my phone, I decided to reach for the current book I’m reading by Steven Bartlett called Happy Sexy Millionaire. In this particular chapter he talks about making decisions, uncertainty and how he personally makes the decisions he makes. But the paragraph which really got me thinking, and I had to read it twice was this, and I quote:
“Overthinking (and the procrastination it creates) stems from trying to make perfect decisions in a world where perfect decisions only exist in hindsight. A 51 per cent decision, is enough to be at peace. Know that 100 per cent doesn’t exist. If you can make more decisions at 51 per cent you’ll get feedback faster, learn faster and progress faster towards your desired outcome. If you continually endeavour to reach 90-100 per cent certainty on key decisions, not only will you be plagued by procrastination, apprehension and indecisiveness, but you’ll lose time, the chance to learn and you’ll miss important opportunities.”
Hands up if you are guilty of overthinking and trying to make things perfect. That’ll be me with my hand held high.
I think I have identified a real thing here and why I tend to procrastinate, sit on the fence and remain indecisive on a lot of things. I over think it to the point I just freeze and do nothing.
Take my upcoming class I am working on for example. I am overthinking about what materials to give to my students – will they be able to cut the glass with relative ease – should I cut it for them so it will be perfect – how many colours should I provide – best not give too much as that might be too overwhelming – should I give them shells or should they source their own – will they think I’m not giving them enough materials and the monkey brain kept chattering away thinking of all the things that could possibly be an issue. Uurrrgghhh!!
This type of thinking also spills over into my art making and I seriously wonder whether it will ever disappear as it is a fundamental part of the process. Getting colour choices right is a big decision maker along with making sure the tiles are placed in a particular way and choosing the right grout colour etc etc. Actually, I think I am allowed to overthink when it comes to my art making as getting it wrong can be extremely detrimental.
However, when it comes to life choices outside of my creativity, I do struggle with getting things done and making a decision. I second guess myself and often ask for a second opinion. When it comes to doing stuff that I know won’t be fun to do but has to be done I have a little dialogue which goes something like …”You need to get those expenses done today Dionne” “I know” “When are you going to do it?” “Later” “But you said that last week and look what happened” “I’m just going to do this thing over here and I’ll do it after”. Conversation ends and usher in procrastination.
Or
“Dionne, you said you were going to book that time off to just chill and relax – have you decided where you are going to go?” – Looks out of the window and starts thinking of all the places I’d like to go when I should be working on art or doing social media homework. I find myself researching on Google then YouTube and watching hours of a holiday channel and get so overwhelmed with all the information that no decision is made. A couple of weeks later the same question pops back in my head. Back to square one.
Overthinking
Procrastination
Which of the two are most prevalent in your world?
I do think Steven is on to something when it comes to making the 51 per cent decision. Could this be a gamechanger for me speeding up my thought process and and being less indecisive? Who knows.
Right, it’s time to get back to work, I have decisions to make.