Chapter 1: The Burden of Choice

Have you ever felt so overwhelmed by the possibility of making the wrong choice that you struggle to complete your work? I recall my early days in the workforce when I found it challenging to manage my tasks effectively. I consistently missed deadlines because I spent an excessive amount of time deliberating over trivial details.

At one point, I devoted nearly half a day just to finalize a report, fixated on selecting the perfect font type and size! It felt as if the entire company's success hinged on that single decision.

Now, I want to clarify that attention to detail is important, especially when errors could have serious repercussions for the organization. However, spending too long on decisions can be detrimental as well. If you find yourself caught up in choosing between Calibri and Times New Roman, you're likely hindering progress.

In fact, this indecision can waste valuable company time and resources, potentially resulting in missed deadlines, which can be far worse than minor mistakes. Often, the issue isn't a true mistake, but rather a difference of opinion between you and your clients or supervisors. It's certainly better to engage actively with your work than to remain stagnant due to indecisiveness.

Imagine a client calling for a status update, only to hear that you're still contemplating which font to use for your report. Even if you're not finished writing, you should at least be in the process of gathering relevant information.

Depending on your workplace's procedures, some tasks may require manual input. This is when the fear of making an error can resurface. I used to meticulously double and triple-check everything, which resulted in a mountain of raw data without any tangible output. It would have been far more productive to begin drafting the report.

I've often heard that the hardest part is simply getting started. Overthinking only complicates this further. It's worth reflecting on why we find it so difficult to initiate tasks. Are we afraid of making mistakes? Is it perfectionism, or perhaps an attempt to avoid the consequences of errors at work?

If perfectionism is the culprit—and assuming it's not tied to a mental health issue—what strategies can we employ to combat it? I firmly believe that the solution lies in avoiding overthinking.

After all, perfection is an unattainable goal. Perfect work does not exist. As long as we follow the guidelines set by clients, that should suffice. We must strike a balance between quality and efficiency.

What about those who dread the repercussions of making a mistake? It's essential to shift our mindset away from viewing errors as catastrophic. We’re not talking about avoidable mistakes; I'm referring to decisions that exist in a gray area where choices must be made. As long as you can justify your decision, act in good faith, and adhere to the guidelines, you're on the right track.

Ultimately, the fear of making mistakes can severely impact our job performance. We must learn to embrace errors positively. Not everything has to be perfect. The key is to prioritize tasks effectively. Hint: Choosing a font is not a high priority.

This article is a response to this week’s prompt on HHH by the wonderful Liberty Forrest.

Chapter 2: Embracing Mistakes

How do you feel about making mistakes? Your approach to them can significantly influence your life.

Grace Delphia shares an inspiring story about how mistakes can turn out to be unexpected blessings.

The Worst Mistake I Ever Made Gifted Me the Greatest Blessings Without wrong choices, how many of us would even be where we are today?

The first video titled "Picking & Pairing Fonts – Live Webinar" delves into the nuances of font selection, highlighting the importance of making informed choices without getting bogged down by indecision.

The second video "Tips and a Cool Website To Help You Make Your Next Choice" provides practical advice and resources to assist in your decision-making process.