Introverts: When in Doubt, Have Fun with It

I spend a lot of time making decisions. I suspect you do too. You know how it goes: you analyze the pros and cons (and you're so good at seeing both sides of every argument, your pros and cons come out dead even). You ask yourself whether each choice is aligned with your values (you ARE aware of your values, aren't you? See me if you need some help). You attempt to do a cost/benefit analysis, except there are one or more unknowns that prevent you from estimating the cost, the benefit, or both. You wonder if you have all the information you NEED (because you definitely don't have all the information you WANT). You not only are conce
ed with making the RIGHT choice; you want to make the OPTIMAL choice. And, because you are an introvert, most likely all these thoughts are swirling in your head - you don't like sharing your thought process until it is complete; that is, until the decision has been made.

Now don't get me wrong; I LOVE analyzing. As an INTJ, it is one of my greatest strengths. I do it automatically. But I have come to realize that sometimes I do a little too much analyzing and fall prey to analysis-paralysis. Again, I suspect I am not alone in this. Everyone with personal experience of analysis-paralysis please raise your virtual hands.

So what can you do about this? Here's what works for me:

1. Honor your process. If you are hard-wired to analyze, process, deliberate, then don't try to force yourself to NOT do what you are meant to do. You can put a time limit on it if you wish, but let yourself do what comes naturally.

2. Get your thoughts out of your head. Write them down, record them, make a visual representation, talk it over with someone else (only if that is your style), mind-map, create an interpretative dance (don't laugh, physical movement helps you tap into your intuition). Play with the choices, play with making a decision. Just play. This often brings clarity.

3. Still stuck? Then ask yourself: "what would be the most fun?" If it's a choice between several alte
atives, then which choice would result in the most fun? If it's a choice of action or no action then will the action be fun for you or not?

I really like to have fun; pleasure/hedonism is one of my top values. So obviously this type of approach resonates with me. When I am having fun, I am more relaxed. When I am more relaxed and playful, I am more creative, have more ideas. When I am "playing," my limiting beliefs don't stop me, because "I'm just playing." When I am having fun, it's effortless to keep doing what I'm doing. This leads to consistency and persistence; major determinants of success.

I'm not advocating that you only do what is fun or that you avoid anything that is not fun. I am also not advocating that you use fun as the only criterion when making a decision. After you have gone through your usual decision-making process; if you are stuck, paralyzed, confused or in doubt - give yourself permission to "just have fun with it" (and then do so). I'm thinking of making that my new mantra.n n(c) 2009 Joanne Julius Hunoldn