Open Field Syndrome: When Too Many Choices Keep You Stuck
Have you ever found yourself staring at a blank page, a long to-do list, or a sea of endless possibilities, feeling completely stuck? You know you should be moving forward, but instead, you freeze.
Welcome to Open Field Syndrome—the petrifying state that comes from having too many choices and no clear path forward.
The Problem with Unlimited Potential
Imagine standing in the middle of a vast, open field. You can go anywhere.
There are no walls, no fences, no signs telling you where to go. At first, it feels exhilarating—so much freedom! But then, reality sets in. With infinite directions to choose from, how do you pick the right one?
What if you start walking in one direction only to realize later that another path would have been better? Suddenly, that exciting sense of possibility turns into a hefty weight of anxious uncertainty.
A genuine situation I found myself in a good couple of decades ago…. “the field is empty… you can pitch your tent anywhere you like” 😬
Ahh… the paradox of choice. When we have too many options, our brain struggles to commit to just one…. “but what if…”
And so, we hesitate. We overthink. We either do nothing at all OR we attempt to do everything.. all at once... with (shockingly) little to no success.
When does it strike?
This wonderful sense of paralysis, sadly doesn’t spend 11 months of the year laying dormant ready to pounce in the fresh light of a new year, oh no no… it has the potential to strike at any time and in so many different elements of our lives and businesses… if we let it.
Creative Work – Writers stare at a blinking cursor, unable to pick a topic. Artists hesitate to put paint on canvas. Entrepreneurs get stuck between too many business ideas.
Career & Business – You want to make a career move or grow your business, but which options is right for you? You have a million marketing strategies to try, but where do you start?
Processes & Systems - there are so many choices, what if I pick the wrong one? What will grow with my business? How do I manage all these exceptions? Oh… I’ll just keep doing it manually until I “know” the answer!
Personal Goals – Should you focus on fitness, learning a new language, or finally organizing your home? Instead, you do... none of them.
Decision-Making in Daily Life – Even simple choices, like picking a restaurant or what book to read next, can feel impossible when options seem endless. (Ask me the story about crying in front the sandwich counter in Sainsbury's if you are ever worried that you are the only person that struggles with this)
So, how do you overcome decision overwhelm?
Set Artificial Constraints – Love a deadline? - Create one! Set an artificial limit to the number of choices, or a small area to focus on. Constraints fuel creativity and action. If too much choice is the enemy, then make restrictions your friend.
Pick Something…ANYTHING! – Progress beats perfection. Even if you’re unsure, start walking in a direction. Clarity comes from action, not overthinking. - Can’t pick = Flip a Coin, ask your dog or ask someone unrelated. Your gut will tell you if you want to accept their answers.
Use the ‘Best Next Step’ Approach – Instead of trying to map out the entire journey, ask: What’s the best next step I can take right now? Then take it... see where you land… repeat this until you have a little momentum.
Trust That You Can Pivot – No decision is final. If you realise you’re on the wrong path, you can adjust. Movement, even the "wrong" movement is better than stagnation. Remember, There is no failure, only feedback, we either succeed or we learn and both are positive outcomes.
Simplify & Prioritize – Instead of looking at all the possibilities, narrow them down. What’s most aligned with your goals right now?
Embrace Imperfection (Eeeek) – Accept that no choice is perfect. Learning and growth come from taking action, not waiting for the ideal solution.
Too many choices can feel like a blessing and a curse. The key to overcoming Open Field Syndrome isn’t in finding the perfect path—it’s just picking a path that aligns with your goals, your values and taking that first step.
So, what’s your next step?
Still not sure… that’s ok… Lets have a chat and see if we can work it out between us!
