Do you suffer from FOMO? FOMO is the fear of missing out. After attending a free workshop this week I realized I still do – even to the point I see it is FOMO that had me fall into the self-defeating “I must start on January 1 or else I’ll miss out” internal dialogue.

In the light of the day, FOMO makes no logical sense but it’s not logic that’s at play; it’s emotion.  In the past, I’ve gone into debt for the promise of the easy fix, been sorely disappointed and blamed it all on the fast-talking of the promoter. Obviously, it’s not “their” fault. I had a part to play in it too.

Here’s how I deal with FOMO:

• I get clear on what I want – when I don’t know what I want I am an easy target, for anything and everything.
• I make an executive decision – there is no buying allowed on the day.
• I stay open to the information presented – I learn and I gather information. I get clearer on what I want.
• I talk with others and listen to their comments. Some are in the FOMO stat while others have more logical comments that keep me grounded and out of the emotional state. This means I can make a decision that works for me.
• I trust that I know enough – I remember what I am good at and the progress I’ve made and it’s generally a lot more than I give myself credit for.

I’m a lot better than I was and I don’t get caught up in the heat of the moment decisions so much. When the time is right I will have done my research and say yes knowing it’s a strategic decision that takes me in the direction I want to go. Until then I can watch the drama unfold without buying into the offer (pun intended) because of the emotion of FOMO.

Is the fear of missing out taking the joy (and the dollars) out of your life? Contact me to see how working with a life coach can help you reclaim your life.