We Will Waste Almost THREE YEARS of Our Lives Making Up Our Mind
Brits spend the equivalent of two years and nine months of their lives DITHERING, according to research.
Daily dilemmas include what to have for dinner, which takes almost seven minutes to decide, and what to wear, which consumes another four. What to watch on Netflix (four mins, 19 seconds), whether to be sociable (seven mins, 25 seconds) – and what to order in a restaurant (six minutes, 19 seconds) also prove tricky.
Overall, six in ten UK adults admit they struggle to make decisions – spending seven hours and 36 minutes making-up their minds during a typical week. The research of UK 2,000 adults was commissioned by ISA and financial services provider, Scottish Friendly.
Too much choice is the number one reason we find it tricky to make up our minds - followed by wanting to be sure the right decision is made. Other reasons for dithering include fear of making the wrong choice and having to commit to a decision. Sixty per cent of adults said they have a tendency to make the wrong decision - although four in ten said indecisiveness has worked to their benefit at time. While around half admit they often try to avoid making decisions altogether – with 48 per cent hoping someone else will make the decision on their behalf so they don't have to.
Among those polled the peak age for indecisiveness is 35 years old - almost a quarter of respondents admit to becoming less decisive as they have gotten older.
Calum [corr] Bennie, savings specialist at Scottish Friendly, said: "It is remarkable that many Brits find making important financial decisions a relative breeze. Considering the current economic uncertainty following the election and Brexit, it is more important than ever that people do take the time to consider all the options available to them when it comes to money. It is crucial Brits make informed and considered financial choices or they risk running into problems in the future."
TOP 20 DAILY DILEMMAS:
Choosing birthday presents for other people
Deciding what to wear when going out socially
What to have for tea/dinner
Choosing what to watch on TV
Where to go on holiday
What to order when in a restaurant
Choosing what to wear on a typical day
Finding something to watch on Netflix, Amazon Prime etc
Choosing what items to pack when going away
Whether to save or spend your money
Picking a sandwich at lunchtime
Which book to read next
Whether to spend some of your savings
Whether to go out or not (socially)
What car to buy
Whether to cook something or order a takeaway
Whether that item of clothing you've already worn is clean enough to wear again
When to take annual leave
Whether to have the heating on or not
Deciding upon a new hair style
What daily dilemmas do you face? Let us know on Twitter @theladymagazine
Daily dilemmas include what to have for dinner, which takes almost seven minutes to decide, and what to wear, which consumes another four. What to watch on Netflix (four mins, 19 seconds), whether to be sociable (seven mins, 25 seconds) – and what to order in a restaurant (six minutes, 19 seconds) also prove tricky.
Overall, six in ten UK adults admit they struggle to make decisions – spending seven hours and 36 minutes making-up their minds during a typical week. The research of UK 2,000 adults was commissioned by ISA and financial services provider, Scottish Friendly.
Too much choice is the number one reason we find it tricky to make up our minds - followed by wanting to be sure the right decision is made. Other reasons for dithering include fear of making the wrong choice and having to commit to a decision. Sixty per cent of adults said they have a tendency to make the wrong decision - although four in ten said indecisiveness has worked to their benefit at time. While around half admit they often try to avoid making decisions altogether – with 48 per cent hoping someone else will make the decision on their behalf so they don't have to.
Among those polled the peak age for indecisiveness is 35 years old - almost a quarter of respondents admit to becoming less decisive as they have gotten older.
Calum [corr] Bennie, savings specialist at Scottish Friendly, said: "It is remarkable that many Brits find making important financial decisions a relative breeze. Considering the current economic uncertainty following the election and Brexit, it is more important than ever that people do take the time to consider all the options available to them when it comes to money. It is crucial Brits make informed and considered financial choices or they risk running into problems in the future."
TOP 20 DAILY DILEMMAS:
Choosing birthday presents for other people
Deciding what to wear when going out socially
What to have for tea/dinner
Choosing what to watch on TV
Where to go on holiday
What to order when in a restaurant
Choosing what to wear on a typical day
Finding something to watch on Netflix, Amazon Prime etc
Choosing what items to pack when going away
Whether to save or spend your money
Picking a sandwich at lunchtime
Which book to read next
Whether to spend some of your savings
Whether to go out or not (socially)
What car to buy
Whether to cook something or order a takeaway
Whether that item of clothing you've already worn is clean enough to wear again
When to take annual leave
Whether to have the heating on or not
Deciding upon a new hair style
What daily dilemmas do you face? Let us know on Twitter @theladymagazine