I’m sure you can relate to putting off an important decision until next week, then the week after that, and then the week after that. Maybe you need to decide where you would like to relocate, choose a healthcare provider, or determine whether to move forward with an important medical procedure. You know the decision needs your attention, but you keep finding reasons to wait.
Most of us may think of procrastination as putting things off because we are busy or lack motivation. However, what if we are not avoiding the task itself, but the uncertainty that comes with making a decision? Oftentimes, the most difficult part is not knowing what to do, but accepting that we cannot predict how things will turn out.
Escaping Discomfort
Experts argue that one reason this happens is negative reinforcement. When avoiding something uncomfortable brings relief, our brains will likely desire to avoid it again. Consider, for example, when a deadline gets pushed back. In the moment, you may feel better knowing you have more time to complete the task at hand, even though you know that the work still needs to get done. Delaying an important decision can have the same effect. We may receive temporary relief, however the decision still remains unresolved.
In my work with people facing difficult life decisions, I have seen how the desire to avoid making the wrong choice can become a significant barrier. People may spend considerable time weighing possibilities, seeking reassurance, and revisiting the same concerns.
Why We Keep Looking for the Best Choice
Another reason important decisions can be difficult to make is that we want to make the best possible choice. Experts describe this tendency as maximizing. It involves searching for the best available option, rather than choosing one that meets our needs and priorities. Wanting to make a good decision is reasonable, but constantly searching for something better can make it harder to settle on an option.
Let’s think about someone deciding whether to relocate for a new job. The opportunity they are considering may offer better pay and career growth, however accepting it could mean leaving family, familiar surroundings, and comfort. They may continue comparing options and questioning whether another opportunity would have been better, even after obtaining enough information to inform their decision.
Recent research offers some insight into this pattern. For instance, in a 2024 study, researchers examined how people with maximizing tendencies estimate the time they spend making decisions. Results showed that “maximizers” tended to underestimate how much time they spent comparing and reconsidering their options. They likely don’t realize they are making decision-making harder not easier for themselves.
When More Choices Make It Harder to Decide
Making a decision becomes even more challenging when we are faced with too many options to select from. For instance, someone who has decided to undergo a medical procedure, but must choose how to pay for it, has to decide on using a credit card, applying for a medical credit line, choosing an in-house payment plan, or financing through a third-party company, which adds another decision to an already important one.
One emerging example in the healthcare industry is “first-look financing.” An article by Cherry describes how this concept introduces one preferred financing option first while keeping other options available. This approach reflects choice architecture, which examines how the presentation of choices can influence people’s decisions.
Decision-Making Essential Reads
For example, after a patient agrees to move forward with a medical procedure, the clinic might first explain its preferred third-party financing option, including the monthly payment and application process. If the patient is not comfortable with that option, the provider can then discuss other options, such as an in-house payment plan or using a credit card.
Practical Steps to Move Forward
Here are a few ways to make important decisions feel more manageable:
- Start with one small step. When a decision feels overwhelming, try to avoid focusing on everything that needs to happen at once. Identify one manageable action, such as making a phone call, gathering information from a trusted friend, or scheduling an appointment. Taking that first step can make the larger decision feel less difficult.
- Narrow your options. You do not need to explore every possibility available. Instead, try to focus on two or three realistic choices and identify what matters most to you at that moment. Setting a reasonable boundary on how much time you spend researching can help prevent you from repeatedly comparing the same options.
- Aim for a “good-enough” decision. We often want to feel certain that we are making the right choice. However, waiting for an option with no disadvantages can keep us from moving forward. Look for a choice that meets your needs and makes sense for your current situation. You can only make the best decision possible with the information you have at the time.
- Recognize when you are avoiding the decision. Ask yourself whether you genuinely need more information or whether you are putting off the decision because you feel uncomfortable with the uncertainty. A question to ask could be: “Am I waiting because I need more information, or because I’m concerned that I will make the wrong decision?”
The Bottom Line
Putting off important decisions is something many of us experience, especially when we are uncertain about what may happen next. Avoiding a decision can make us feel better temporarily, but it does not necessarily make the situation easier. Ultimately, we do not have to find the perfect option or know exactly how everything will turn out before moving forward. Sometimes, making a good-enough decision and taking one small step at a time is what can help us move past the uncertainty.
© 2026 Ryan C. Warner, Ph.D.
