From selling calves to supper plans, decision paralysis sets in

Am I the only one who paralyzes myself with indecision? Especially when it comes to decisions like when to sell or when to buy, I am always afraid that I will pull the trigger, the price will change, and I will regret my decision. This leads to not being able to sleep or a constant worry that I am leaving money on the table.

I wish I were able to decide my price, make my decision and move on, but that is not how it works for me. Oh, I start out with a plan and a price but soon I start to second guess the plan and then make deviations to it. Sometimes those changes work, sometimes they do not.

This week I am selling some calves. I planned to sell them a month ago and could not make myself pull the trigger. Right now, that decision, or rather indecision, seems to have worked out in my favor. The prices have gone up, the calves have stayed healthy and gained well.

Well, they stayed healthy right up until I consigned them for this week, and then two of the bigger calves came down with bad eyes. I am calling this one at least a draw.

Then there is my hunt for a new pickup. There is nothing wrong with my current pickup other than the 240,000 miles and lack of an air conditioner. However, I know that all good things must end. The plan was to replace this pickup four years ago or about the time pickup truck prices went crazy. I hate negotiations and payments, so that adds another couple of layers of difficulty to all of this.

Jennifer has been advocating for a new pickup for about four years now and I have been holding my own, but lately I have started to crack. I have started looking, and that adds even more to my indecision. Do I go newer with higher miles or older with fewer miles? How much of a payment do we want, and can I trust the seller? All questions that keep me from going any further than looking.

Do I want a diesel or a gas motor, regular cab or four door, long bed or short bed, and then what brand do I want?

Suddenly the old truck with a lot of miles does not seem so bad. There is not anything immediately wrong with it. Who needs air conditioning anyway? Keep in mind that the last time I bought a new truck, I got rid of the old one only when it would not go into reverse and the driver’s door would not latch.

It's not just large decisions that paralyze me either. Deciding where to go out to eat can lead to a cold sweat. Do I want a burger or a taco? Will I be disappointed if I try a new place? All of this is particularly important for a fat guy.

Then when I get to the restaurant there is deciding on what I am going to eat. Too many choices for a guy that cannot make up his mind on anything. Often the waiter will ask us if we are ready and Jennifer will say we are because she always orders the same thing, and I am still reading the descriptions and looking at pictures.

Buying shoes or clothes is another thing I have trouble deciding on. Jeans are easy. I have been buying the same ones for years, but when to buy them is tough. Are they going on sale in the near future? Shoes and boots are hard. Do you buy the ones that feel good now or the pair that are going to break into feeling good in a couple of months?

My life starts out tough every day. Do I have bacon or sausage? Cereal or toast? Then it gets more difficult from there. Big decisions and minor ones - all require me to decide between two choices. My life is really tough and complicated.

I know. Cry me a river. Grow up and make a decision.

Well, I have learned something: when the decision is made, live with it. Do not look at the markets for at least a month after you sell or check the ads after you make a purchase. I stick to that most of the time.

There are also times when I know what I want, make a decision and I go right after it. Often that is when I find the item is sold out or the establishment is closed. Then I must make another decision.

All of this is a first world problem, and I am blessed that I have things to make decisions about. I am a lucky man who has been given many blessings, and I am grateful for that. However, it does not make the decisions any easier.