I have a friend who's always uncertain when it comes to making a decision. He could think and change his mind five times before ordering a drink. It's really annoying because we always have to wait for him to make the final decision.
The problem is, uncertainty is not limited to ordering a drink, it can follow everything you do, and it can affect your thoughts as well.
Uncertainty can also create a strong sense of anxiety, which is easy to transmit to people around you. For example, that's why you might become nervous when the waitress needs to wait for your friends to take their orders.
One of the best things I've learned on my personal development journey is to make fast decisions. I usually don't wait more than a minute before making my choice.
When I first implemented this habit, it was a bit odd, as I was afraid that I would make a lot of wrong choices.
I have indeed made a few wrong choices along the way, but that's not even comparable with the sense of freedom that I get by adopting the habit of making fast decisions.
Even if you are not an adventurous person, you'll be amazed by how much you can get by changing the way you make your decisions.
The trick is that you are pushing your comfort zone by attacking one of the most crucial things in your identity.
For example, when I quit smoking some years ago I made the decision that I was not going to smoke anymore. It worked. But I didn't spend the whole day thinking about the consequences, the difficulties and failures of other people, etc. Instead, I only said to myself that smoking was not right for me and I didn't need to do it anymore. That was it. I threw away my cigarettes and lighter, and I became a smoke free person after many years of imprisonment.
Making fast decisions is also a great way to beat procrastination, as you don't have to over-think everything, trying to figure out what would be the best thing you could do. You just pick something from your list and you do it right now.
Try to keep all your decisions under a minute. In most cases the world is not going to end and the first choice will be the one that you had already chosen inside of you from the beginning.
If you are still worried that you could make the wrong decision unless you take enough time, keep in mind that your brain will learn a lot by implementing this habit and you'll get better at using it with practice. Most of the time, you'll not have a second chance to try again.
A big thank you to Oscar for this post. 
If you enjoyed this post and would like to subscribe to Oscar's blog, please step this way.
Congratulations Jen on being able to get this great content on your blog! I've learned that true happiness is achieved when we live in the moment and take decisions on the spot. You learn a lot more about life approaching it that way than investing 5 days trying to come up with an answer. And if you fall, you get up, and try it again. Keeps the creative juices flowing and erases stagnant points of view. Well, now I'm definitely "stepping that way" now to Oscar's blog. --Paul
Paul L'Acosta´s last blog ..marketingfails: @KimbaGreen That was a really engaging post. And I liked the "Cesar Millan" kind of approach you made there.
@Paul L'Acosta,
Thanks Paul - I am delighted to have had Oscar here to do this post.
A great point that you made - once we are present, and in the moment, things do flow.
I am glad you enjoyed Oscar's post and have stepped over to his blog too - he has a great site with lots of interesting articles.
Jen
Thanks Jennifer for giving me the opportunity to write for your blog
Oscar - freestyle mind´s last blog ..Is Learning to Program Worth Your Time?
Jen -
Oscar's a cool cat! Very neat that he posted here. Naturally, I agree with what Oscar says here. Sometimes I think we're on the same wavelength. I too have made great progress when I learn to listen to my gut and make quick decisions.
A pretty lame example, but an example nonetheless, is at restaurants. I used to have trouble deciding on what to eat. I'd switch back and forth and couldn't make a decision. Now I'll look through a menu once and just go with the first item that 'speak to me'
Nate´s last blog ..Life Lessons from Steve Jobs: Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.
@Oscar - freestyle mind,
It really is very cool for me to have you guest post here - thanks again! 
Hey Oscar! My pleasure.
Jen x
Hey Nate
Oscar is a very cool cat! I am really chuffed he agreed to guest post for me.
I am glad you enjoyed Oscar's post, Nate. I think learning to listen to our gut instinct as you mentioned, and consequently being able to make fast decisions is a great thing and makes a real difference to the quality of life.
PS - I just noticed you introduced the example in your comment as lame! That is so not the case, that was a great example... you always add a unique angle and it always makes me smile when I see you here Nate. x
Hey Jen!
Cool to see you are accepting guest posts now
Nice job Oscar!
Have a great day guys!
Diggy - Upgradereality.com´s last blog ..Trust but Verify
Hey Diggy
Yeah, I am very excited - it is really great to have my 1st guest post!
And you Diggy...look forward to your new post about your travels.
Jen
I love making fast decisions, and under a minute is a great time to go by! It really opens your world up to new experiences that you might have missed out on due to second guessing/procrastination. Very good post Oscar! And good choice for a guest poster, Jen.
Nate´s last blog ..challenge everything
Heya Nate!
Definately - giving yourself a timeframe is a great idea! Agree - great post from Oscar and awesome to have him here.
Cool post, Nate!! And congratulations, Jen, on hosting your first guest post
I'm a great proponent (if that's the right word?!) on the philosophy of making decisions quickly. The one thing I would say is that some turn out to be brilliant, others to have their difficulties, but either way I learn something.
For example, I decided to become a vegetarian one morning. I'd had a health scare and had listened for days as alternative health friends told me of the toxins in our meat and fish produce these days, but rather than wean myself off meat I decided to go cold turkey (excuse the dreadful pun, especially as it's Thanksgiving today!!). I am glad to say that, five years on, I am very well and have never missed meat or regretted my decision.
An example of a bad decision made quickly was switching from BT to a free broadband provider a couple of years ago. Complete disaster!! The technology was antiquated and the connection kept going down. Not brilliant for Skype calls etc!! The decision to return to BT was made just as quickly. I learned two things from this. First, you pay for quality. Second, that even bad quick decisions can often be changed.
Thanks guys!
Christine´s last blog ..How to live more easily with the fear of layoff
Hey Christine!
Lovely to see you here as always. This post was by Oscar - got quite a buzz hosting my first guest post!
Great example - I find a mixture of fast decisions and learning from my mistakes works well for me, as you mentioned with BT!
Ps - I'm a veggie too
Hey Oscar,
Nice guest post! I also believe in making lots of decisions quickly. Your gut feeling is normally right.
Gordie Rogers´s last blog ..10 Things You Can Learn From Hitler About Success.
@jen, Sorry, Oscar....!! I'd been reading the other comments and got confused. Apologies.
Christine´s last blog ..How to live more easily with the fear of layoff
@Gordie Rogers,
Thanks for stopping by Gordie and glad you enjoyed Oscar's post.
@Christine,
see you soon. x
Hi Jen,
Congrats on having a guest post on your blog. I am thinking of doing the same in the near future. Anyway, I like the point that the author is making here. Isn't it funny that a person typically makes the correct choice when he/she is going on gut instinct. So, to make a decision within one minute probably is going to turn out to be the best one. Good advice for sure and something to think about.
Best,
Bob
Bob Bessette´s last blog ..Interview with Jonathan Fields.