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Business Strategy with Hirav Shah MAY 02, 2025 | The Indian Eye 38

FOBO (Fear of Better Options):

THE PARALYSIS OF TOO MANY CHOICES

FOBO. Try to limit the number of
options you consider by focusing only
on a few that meet your criteria. This
makes decision-making less over-
whelming and encourages action.
3. Accept Imperfection: Recognize that
no option will be 100% perfect. Ev-
ery choice comes with pros and cons,
and learning to accept imperfection
is key to overcoming FOBO. It’s bet-
ter to make a good decision than to
wait endlessly for the perfect one.
HIRAV SHAH 4. Embrace Commitment: Making a
decision is empowering. Commit to
your choices once you’ve made them,
n today’s world, we are constantly Constantly weighing options can lead to decision fatigue, where individuals feel mentally drained. and trust that you have made the best
faced with an overwhelming num- decision with the information avail-
Iber of options—from what show major life decisions, like choosing a 1. Decision Fatigue: Constantly weigh- able at the time. This will help reduce
to watch, to which product to buy, to job or career path. Individuals may ing options can lead to decision regret and anxiety.
which career path to follow. This abun- hesitate to take a job offer because fatigue, where individuals feel men- 5. Practice Decision Deadlines: Giving
dance of choices has given rise to a phe- they believe a better opportunity tally drained and overwhelmed by yourself a deadline to make decisions
nomenon known as FOBO, or Fear of could arise, leading to paralysis and the number of choices they need to can prevent overthinking. Once the
Better Options. Coined by Patrick Mc- missed chances. make. This often results in poor deci- deadline is up, make a choice and
Ginnis, FOBO is a modern-day dilem- 4. Relationships: In personal relation- sion-making or complete avoidance move forward without looking back.
ma where individuals struggle to make ships, FOBO can manifest as a re- of decisions. 6. Adopt a Growth Mindset: Under-
decisions due to the fear that a better luctance to fully commit to a partner 2. Inaction: In some cases, FOBO stand that most decisions can be
choice may exist just around the corner. out of fear that someone “better” leads to paralysis by analysis, where adapted or revised if needed. Adopt-
might come along. This can result in individuals spend so much time ing a growth mindset allows you to
What is FOBO? shallow or short-term relationships, overthinking that they end up do- view decisions as learning opportuni-
• FOBO is the anxiety that occurs when with individuals continually seeking ing nothing. This can harm personal ties rather than irreversible commit-
we are afraid to commit to a decision perfection. growth, career advancement, and ments. This mindset reduces the fear
because we think there might be a su- relationships. of making the “wrong” choice.
perior alternative available. It often The Psychological Root of FOBO 3. Increased Stress and Anxiety: The 7. Avoid Comparing Yourself to Oth-
leads to indecision, procrastination, At its core, FOBO is driven by per- fear of making the wrong decision ers: FOBO is often fueled by seeing
and, in some cases, complete avoid- fectionism and fear of regret. In an age adds a layer of anxiety to the deci- what others are doing. Stop compar-
ance of decision-making. In a world where we are constantly bombarded by sion-making process. As people de- ing your choices and life decisions to
where options are seemingly limit- choices and where social media offers lay making choices, the stress only those of others. Focus on your own
less, FOBO makes it hard to choose, us a window into others’ seemingly per- intensifies, creating a cycle of worry path, and trust that your decisions
leaving individuals stuck in a loop of fect lives, it becomes harder to settle and uncertainty. are right for you.
“what if.” on a decision. FOBO is fueled by the 4. Damaged Relationships: When
notion that there is always something Conclusion
How FOBO Manifests in Everyday Life better out there, leading to: people constantly seek better op- FOBO is a modern challenge that
It can appear in many aspects of daily life: 1. Perfectionism: The desire to make tions in social settings, they can ap- stems from having too many choices
1. Consumer Choices: Whether shop- the “perfect” choice often causes pear unreliable or non-committal. and a fear of missing out on the best
ping for a smartphone or deciding people to keep their options open, FOBO can strain friendships and possible option. While the abundance
what to eat for dinner, the vast num- making decisions far more stressful relationships, as others may view this of options can be exciting, it can also
ber of options can make even small than necessary. behavior as selfish or inconsiderate. lead to indecision, stress, and dissatis-
decisions seem daunting. People 2. Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): How to Overcome FOBO faction. By setting clear priorities, lim-
often find themselves endlessly re- FOBO and FOMO often go hand While FOBO is a common issue in today’s iting options, embracing imperfection,
searching, comparing, and review- in hand. The fear of missing out on world, it is possible to overcome it with the and committing to decisions, individu-
ing products, unable to settle on one a potentially better opportunity adds right mindset and strategies: als can overcome FOBO and lead more
choice for fear they might miss out pressure, reinforcing indecision. fulfilling, decisive lives. Remember, no
on something better. 1. Set Clear Priorities: Understand-
2. Social Plans: Many people experience 3. Regret Aversion: FOBO is closely ing what is truly important to you choice is perfect, and learning to trust
linked to the fear of regret. People want
your instincts will help you move for-
FOBO when it comes to social events. to avoid the feeling of having made can help narrow down your choices. ward with confidence.
The fear of committing to one invi- the wrong choice, leading them to de- Define your core values, needs, and
tation while a potentially better one lay decisions or never make one at all. goals so that when options arise, you
comes up later leaves them in a state can quickly assess which aligns best The writer is a well known Business
of limbo, often leading to last-min- The Negative Impact of FOBO with your priorities. Turnaround Specialist, Astro Strategist,
ute cancellations or flaky behavior. Though it may seem harmless, FOBO has 2. Limit Your Options: The abundance and BestSelling Author.
3. Career Choices: FOBO can affect serious implications: of choices is a significant driver of [email protected]

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