e whole picture and increases the likelihood of finding an alternative that is most appropriate.

2. Too many options

On other occasions we seem to be faced with so much choice that we become overwhelmed and are unable to make the simplest of decisions, such as choosing a meal from an extensive menu

Despite our skills, experience or expertise we can still make a meal out of making a choice!

Here are some common reasons why people struggle to make choices, and some tips for making them easier.

1. Too few options (double bind)

Many people fall into the trap of believing that a choice of two represents a real choice when, in fact, it often presents a dilemma. If you are offered the choice of an Indian meal or a Chinese meal, when you actually don't like either, then this isn't much of a choice at all. And if you were to consider only two possible solutions to a problem, you could risk missing the best option of all.

On other occasions you may feel you have no choice. This is often a matter of perception as we are making choices all the time, even when we don't realise it, and choosing to do nothing is still a choice.

When you find yourself having to choose between two alternatives, neither of which is sufficiently motivating or, worse still, you feel you have no choice in a particular situation, seek out additional possibilities by asking “How else could we do this?”, “Where else could we go?”, “What else would I prefer to eat?” Expanding the number of options available to you helps you see the whole picture and increases the likelihood of finding an alternative that is most appropriate.

2. Too many options

On other occasions we seem to be faced with so much choice that we become overwhelmed and are unable to make the simplest of decisions, such as choosing a meal from an extensive menu,

two represents a real choice when, in fact, it often presents a dilemma. If you are offered the choice of an Indian meal or a Chinese meal, when you actually don't like either, then this isn't much of a choice at all. And if you were to consider only two possible solutions to a problem, you could risk missing the best option of all.

On other occasions you may feel you have no choice. This is often a matter of perception as we are making choices all the time, even when we don't realise it, and choosing to do nothing is still a choice.

When you find yourself having to choose between two alternatives, neither of which is sufficiently motivating or, worse still, you feel you have no choice in a particular situation, seek out additional possibilities by asking “How else could we do this?”, “Where else could we go?”, “What else would I prefer to eat?” Expanding the number of options available to you helps you see the whole picture and increases the likelihood of finding an alternative that is most appropriate.

2. Too many options

On other occasions we seem to be faced with so much choice that we become overwhelmed and are unable to make the simplest of decisions, such as choosing a meal from an extensive menu

he best option of all.

On other occasions you may feel you have no choice. This is often a matter of perception as we are making choices all the time, even when we don't realise it, and choosing to do nothing is still a choice.

When you find yourself having to choose between two alternatives, neither of which is sufficiently motivating or, worse still, you feel you have no choice in a particular situation, seek out additional possibilities by asking “How else could we do this?”, “Where else could we go?”, “What else would I prefer to eat?” Expanding the number of options available to you helps you see the whole picture and increases the likelihood of finding an alternative that is most appropriate.

2. Too many options

On other occasions we seem to be faced with so much choice that we become overwhelmed and are unable to make the simplest of decisions, such as choosing a meal from an extensive menu

er of which is sufficiently motivating or, worse still, you feel you have no choice in a particular situation, seek out additional possibilities by asking “How else could we do this?”, “Where else could we go?”, “What else would I prefer to eat?” Expanding the number of options available to you helps you see the whole picture and increases the likelihood of finding an alternative that is most appropriate.

2. Too many options

On other occasions we seem to be faced with so much choice that we become overwhelmed and are unable to make the simplest of decisions, such as choosing a meal from an extensive menu

e whole picture and increases the likelihood of finding an alternative that is most appropriate.

2. Too many options

On other occasions we seem to be faced with so much choice that we become overwhelmed and are unable to make the simplest of decisions, such as choosing a meal from an extensive menu, selecting a colour to decorate the home or deciding upon a course of action to resolve a problem at work. Or, we take the advice above too far and continue to seek out new options and defer making any decision.

Focusing on too many options can result in a lack of progress or, in too little time or attention being allocated to each.

When faced with too much choice it helps to prioritise the options based upon your goals and criteria that are important to you. If you were choosing a new home you would probably have an idea of what you wanted and what was most important e.g. location, garden, pool, school, price, amenities, d?cor, etc.

And remember, not choosing one option today doesn’t mean you can never have that in the future, you just need to choose what you want first, or at this particular moment in time. Exercise:

As you think about a choice, or choices, you are about to make or will make in the future notice how you think about the situation and how you would illustrate it. If you have an image that is something like a mind map illustrating all the possible alternatives, in no particular order, try the following exercise.

a. Create a mind map of all the choices you have now.

b. Start