Indecision is a Decision

By on February 3, 2007 in Brain Stew with 5 Comments

"Deciders Suffer Alone; Nondeciders Make Everyone Else Suffer" – Wall Street Journal, 11/8/05

I was recently reminded of this article and found the spirit of the headline holding some truth. But isn’t indecision actually a decision?

Lucy3_1 Eleven years ago next month, we decided to bring Lucy into our family. We made multiple visits to the SPCA before deciding. There were two small dogs that Cindy liked equally well. Both had come from the same home. Yet, at the end of each trip, Cindy was undecided.

On our final visit, we agreed if Cindy couldn’t decide, I would make the call. Knowing a decision would be made (and that I had always preferred bigger dogs), Cindy decided Lucy was part of our family.

As we were getting ready to leave, a family came in asking for both of the small terrier pups. Luckily for us, Cindy had made a decision. If she hadn’t, we wouldn’t have Lucy. Indecision is a decision.

Good call, Cindy. I now prefer small dogs. It’s unlikely we’ll ever find another like Lucy.

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  • http://www.ismckenzie.com/ Ian McKenzie

    I think deep down indecisive people know indecision is a decision. They hope, by putting off deciding, that the decision will be made for them. As you say, it will be, and not always with the hoped-for end result.

  • http://www.madenaburman.com Madena M Burman

    To piggyback on Ian’s comment. I agree indecisive people are hoping for others to make their decisions for them. The misconception is they believe that if someone else makes the decision they aren’t responsible for what happens. Truth is that they are just as accountable and responsible for the outcome because they made the choice not to engage.

  • http://www.converstations.com Mike Sansone

    Ian & Madena, thanks for your comments. There’s no doubt that indecision is an uncomfortable seat to sit in – and most folks feel better after deciding. Maybe it’s a perfectionist thing?

  • http://www.artdinkin.com Art Dinkin

    I run across indecision all the time. In my first meeting with a prospective client we discuss everyone’s responsibilities. I charge them with the responsibility of making decisions. Both “yes” and “no” can be good decisions, but “I don’t know” is never the right call.

  • http://www.converstations.com Mike Sansone

    Great point, Art. When I hear “I don’t know” in regards to their personal likes or needs – I usually come back with “Who should I ask”

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