Contemplate the price you pay for inaction…
In a world full of choices, the weight of a difficult decision can often lead us to a familiar and tempting refuge: inaction. Whether it’s contemplating a career change, avoiding uncomfortable conversations or hesitating to confess your feelings to someone special, the draw of postponing the inevitable is strong. It seems to offer a respite, a sense of temporary security in the status quo. Yet, this perceived comfort can come at a high price.
I like the sentiment in the words of Jordan Peterson: “You're already in a little hell, you know perfectly well it's going to get worse if you don’t face it, look into the abyss. The thing about inaction is that you're blind to it; do not make the assumption that inaction has no price.” This “little hell” is the state of uncertainty and anxiety that not facing and engaging with what we need to perpetuates... Often the opposite of what we initially think postponement/inaction will bring. Choosing not to act doesn’t simply delay a problem; it often compounds our distress. As the days turn into weeks and weeks into months, unresolved issues linger like dark clouds, creating an emotional turmoil.
Many people believe that inaction is a neutral choice, an impartial strategy that allows time to provide clarity. It can often be said though that “a problem postponed is a problem extended.” Delaying a decision only prolongs the discomfort. The hours spent looping through the same thoughts and rehearsing the same fears with nothing new gained is not time well spent; they are an emotional drain that generates what could be called the ‘Anxiety Cost’- the emotional price you pay as the hours, days, or even years tick by without resolution.
Inaction is not without consequences. The Anxiety Cost is not only about feeling uncomfortable; it also represents the opportunity lost—the potential for personal growth and fulfillment that slips away while you hesitate. Inaction can gradually erode your confidence and self-esteem. Each instance of avoidance reinforces the belief that you lack the capability to make choices, creating a detrimental cycle of procrastination and self-doubt.
What fuels this inaction? Often, it is fear—the fear of making a wrong decision, the fear of consequences, the fear of the unknown and the fear of future regret. While such fears are understandable, they lead us to stagnation. I also like what Alex Hormozi says: “It doesn't take time to make decisions; it takes information to make decisions. If you have the information to make the decision, you should make it.” This perspective is important as, if you possess the necessary information and still hesitate, it’s a sign that your reluctance stems from fear rather than rational consideration. If you don’t possess the needed information then seek it quickly, stop wavering back and forth over what you know knowing it’s insufficient information anyway. Talk to someone, see if they know the thing that you don’t know.
“The purpose of knowledge is action, not knowledge.” — Aristotle
Many of us find ourselves waiting for the perfect moment or absolute certainty before acting. Such certainty is often an illusion though as decisions inherently involve risks, and this unpredictability is what makes them vital to our lives. By waiting for guarantees, we surrender our agency, allowing circumstances to dictate our paths. Hormozi reminds us that effective decision-making hinges on clarity, not time. If you have the evidence to support a decision yet still hesitate, consider whether this delay is likely rooted in irrational fear.
Inaction is not simply the absence of action; it’s a conscious choice that often leads to stagnation. It comes with the hidden costs of emotional distress, lost opportunities, and diminished self-esteem.
As you navigate the complexities of your life, take a moment to reflect on the price you pay for inaction. Consider the emotional toll, the missed chances for growth, and the slow erosion of your self-confidence. Remember that doing nothing is still a choice—and one that can often cost more than taking a leap of faith. Do not make the assumption that inaction has no price.
Embrace the discomfort of decision-making, and recognise that taking action, however small, can be the key to breaking free from your own “little hell.” The thing is, action produces information, perhaps even showing us the thing we didn’t know previous to the action. Venturing into the unknown is the way the unknown becomes known.
Habits are powerful. They shape our very existence, and ultimately our future. The habit of doing nothing is easy to fall into and hard to break… at what cost though, for this perceived ease. Experience the real relief and ease that comes from ‘doing the thing that needs doing’… Action relieves anxiety! Go do the thing!
As always, please remember that this is just a glimpse into a subject that’s much bigger than this page. We are here to help should you want to explore further your decision making, things that may be holding you back and ways to improve them.
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