The Acrobat: When It Comes to Big Decisions, Ask a Friend
You do your research before any purchase. You read reviews, even if it’s just for a fast food place. You look at a problem from every angle. You know the outcomes. Fear of the unknown is your enemy.
And then, there are those big money moments – like buying a car, or planning a trip to Europe. It’s enough to fry your analytical, conscientious brain. Sound familiar? But help from friends is on the way.
Don’t Decide Alone
When you’re weighing the pros and cons of a big money move, it can be difficult to stay emotionless. Depending on what the expense is, you may feel nervous, pressured, or giddy with excitement, especially about that trip to Europe. You might initially be swept up in the excitement, but then become worried that you’ll overspend or that you shouldn’t take time off work. Or, if your car dies unexpectedly and you need to buy a new one, you might become so anxious about the cost and urgency that you don’t know what to do next.
Phone (or Text) a Friend
Asking for a friend’s opinion during these moments can work for a few reasons. For starters, they can help ground you in reality. Being presented with a once-in-a-lifetime travel opportunity or an emergency expense can send you into a tailspin. You might feel that you’ll never get the chance to see Europe again, so you need to seize this opportunity no matter what the cost might be. On the other hand, you don’t want to derail your finances for one vacation.
Listen Up
Ultimately, if you ask a friend for help, you should be sure to take their advice seriously. You came to them because you trust them and they have your best interests at heart. They want to help you get out of the overthinking spiral and take action. Because you’re so conscientious, and because you trust your friend’s opinion, you can confidently make decisions that will lead you to new experiences and opportunities — and ultimately, to an increased quality of life.
