Overthinking the possibility of unlikelihood leads to overly conservative decision-making?

Good day, question asker. I am pleased to have this opportunity to engage with you.

Let us proceed with a detailed examination of the aforementioned statements.

During the application process for higher education, I was concerned that my academic performance was not sufficiently impressive. Consequently, I submitted applications to institutions that were not as competitive as they might have been. Upon the release of the results, I experienced a profound sense of disappointment.

You are aware that your abilities are not deficient and that you have previously enjoyed success. However, at this juncture, you appear to have adopted a more cautious approach.

In the future, you aspire to capitalise on opportunities and make decisions that are grounded in practicality.

It is recommended that the opportunity currently available be seized.

From the information provided, it is evident that you are currently enrolled in graduate studies. This phase of your academic career offers a valuable opportunity to gain experience in making practical decisions.

Furthermore, given the necessity for graduate students to publish articles, this presents an opportunity. Should the quality of the article in question be deemed to be relatively high, it would be advisable to submit it to a journal of a more elevated standard.

The potential consequences of this decision are relatively minor, even in the event of rejection. However, should it prove successful, the impact would be significant. This affords the opportunity to continue making decisions in accordance with one's own capabilities.

The outcome of the postgraduate entrance examination is contingent upon a multitude of variables.

You indicated that you had initially selected a less competitive institution, and upon the release of the results, you experienced a sense of regret. It is important to recognize that the postgraduate entrance examination differs from the college entrance examination.

The difficulty of the examination papers varies from one institution to another, as does the level of pressure experienced when applying to multiple institutions simultaneously. It is therefore recommended that applicants do not concern themselves unduly with the application process.

It is possible that had you applied to a more competitive institution, the questions would have been more challenging or the pressure greater, potentially affecting your performance.

It is imperative to evaluate all available options before making a decision.

If one wishes to engage in a process of deliberation and gradually arrive at a decision that aligns with one's circumstances, it is possible to list several potential options, ranging from the most secure to the most risky. Each of these options can then be subjected to a process of analysis, with a view to identifying the factors that are of greatest importance to the individual in question. This analysis will inform the decision-making process, ensuring that the chosen option incorporates an element of risk, which will in turn motivate the individual to work hard for its realisation and thereby increase the probability of success.

I am writing in the hope that my answer will provide you with a perspective and prove useful to you.

Hello,

It's a shame you chose your college major based on your actual scores, which could have been used to apply to a better school and choose a better major. At the time, though, you chose the safest and most conservative method. Even though you're now attending a good school, there's still a gap in your heart.

As a general rule, when it comes to filling out the college application form, you should try your best, be stable, and lower your expectations.

Just follow the national standard line: score yourself roughly within which range, then choose a college within this range. You can also choose a college that is one level higher that you like, then choose a few more colleges and majors that are relatively in the first level. This way, your choice will be wider, and when the final results come out, you will have relatively more autonomy and choice.

Now that I see your description of the problem, I have to say congratulations. You've identified it and acknowledged your abilities. You've realized you're capable and strong, and that you can do better than you expect. You've recognized your unlimited potential.

However, excessive worry and foreknowledge of the worst possible outcome may prevent us from seizing many opportunities.

I think it's also through your own past experiences and feelings that you've identified some areas where you can make adjustments and improvements.

Absolutely. Life is all about constant integration and adjustment. Some things are only truly adjustable and integratable when we've experienced them and seen them.

Is it true that this mentality of seeking stability largely prevents us from facing failure and frustration?

For instance, when you have to make a choice, going for the safer option might seem easier, but it could lead to failure. The result is that you'll end up feeling like you didn't give your best or that you're not satisfied with yourself, even though you could have done well. This kind of frustration and failure will also be there in your heart.

I get the feeling you regret your past and think you've missed out on some great opportunities that could have changed your life. Maybe there was a big opportunity at some point that we didn't grab, and it might even affect how our lives play out now. But it's just one stage in our lives. If we look at the big picture, three to five years down the road, or even further, it's just a small hill.

If you think about it this way, you can ease your harsh self-criticism and some of your anxiety.

We can also try to be more tolerant of ourselves, which can make us more flexible and resilient. Let's take the matter of applying for university, for example. You're not alone. I think that when many students face this kind of choice, there will be differences from their expectations, just as there will be differences. For example, some people may just barely pass the score line and then get into a very good university, while others may pass by a wide margin and also get into the same university. This kind of situation exists in a large proportion. Just like the children of a friend of mine, for example, there's a child who is usually very good at studying and a child who is not outstanding at studying, and there may even be a child who is not very good at studying. When it comes time to enter university, it is the child who is good at studying who may end up applying for a more general university.

Then we can identify our weaknesses from such incidents. That way, the next time we face the same or similar problems, we can adjust our thinking, attitude, perception, behavior, etc.

Finally, I'd say it's important to learn to open up and express yourself. This applies to work, studies, your personal life, and your interactions with others. You need to be aware of your thoughts and needs, as well as your feelings and emotions. You also need to be able to express yourself consistently. When you know yourself better and are more accepting of yourself, you can make better choices and take advantage of opportunities when they arise.

Dear Question Asker,

In conclusion, the subject's self-evaluation appears to be relatively low, and numerous opportunities have been missed.

The respondent's self-assessment is somewhat low, and they exhibit a lack of self-confidence. Could the underlying cause of this be a fear of failure? Being conservative means that, although the school may not be optimal, at least the exam was not failed.

If one sets an exceedingly ambitious goal and fails to achieve it, does that signify a failure? Does one then experience difficulty in accepting failure?

Some children have performed very well since childhood, with good grades and few setbacks. However, parents and teachers consistently set new goals and expectations, often requiring higher grades and more advanced performance. Success is emphasized, and failure is not tolerated. Children who grow up in this environment may develop a personality trait of fearing failure.

The question thus arises as to how one might confront these inner fears.

First, it is essential to identify the specific source of the fear.

Frequently, the fear of failure is not clearly defined. It is important to recognize that when fear becomes vague and distorted, it becomes an insurmountable obstacle.

Accordingly, in order to overcome fear, it is essential to gain clarity regarding the specific connotations of "failure" in one's own context. For instance, an individual may perceive the potential consequence of being dismissed from their position as a manifestation of failure, which could subsequently lead to feelings of inadequacy and social isolation. Similarly, in the professional setting, a misstep in a presentation might evoke a perception of incompetence, potentially resulting in feelings of embarrassment and self-doubt.

Consequently, once the fear has been sufficiently alleviated, it becomes considerably more straightforward to either challenge it or plan around it.

2. Provide responses to the aforementioned hypothetical questions.

In practical situations, individuals often articulate their concerns through a variety of "what if" inquiries. To effectively address the fear of failure, it is essential to identify a single question that can be used to guide decision-making. This entails contemplating how one would respond if the anticipated challenges and apprehensions were to materialize.

What is the most effective method for coping with such circumstances?

When one responds to a hypothetical question, one engages in a process of working through a worst-case scenario and formulating a plan of action. This process can facilitate a shift in perspective, enabling one to identify strategies for addressing the situation and moving forward in a more constructive manner.

3. Failure is not a permanent condition; it is merely a transient phenomenon.

The majority of individuals apprehend the prospect of failure due to the perception that it is a permanent and singular occurrence, one that is irrevocable.

The reality, however, is that the experience of failure is merely transient. Despite the potential distress it may cause, there is always an opportunity to learn from it and to embark on a new path.

In conclusion, failure is not a definitive outcome but rather a transient state. Even in the event of significant failure, there is always the possibility of a fresh start. The fear of failure is therefore not a rational concern.

I wish you the best of success!

The most conservative approach is to do things very steadily, and this stability is what many people seek. In fact, no matter what decision we make, we may regret it and think that it could have been "better." This thought of "it could have been better" is something that every person on earth has experienced at one time or another.

You're always pushing yourself to think of every possible solution, which is great! But it can also mean that you don't get enough sleep or eat properly. It's important to remember that everyone is different and that we'll all face challenges.

It's totally normal to overthink the possibility of something not happening, especially when you're thinking about things in a negative way. In this case, you can face a bad outcome without being as miserable, which is also an advantage. It might seem like you're being overly conservative, so the adjustment plan can focus on being less conservative next time.

Let's say you could have gone to a better school for the postgraduate entrance exam, but you thought your grades were probably on the low side. This can be explained by something called the endowment effect, which makes it seem like you've fallen into a situation that might not be the best for your development.

It's totally normal to feel this way! If you don't have something you could have had, it can feel pretty painful. I'm sure you've had experiences like this: if the bus is coming in two minutes and you've already left, if someone else has grabbed the coupon and you haven't, if you could have gone to a good school but didn't... There are so many missed opportunities in life that could have been better. But you know what? You can add a slightly bolder alternative option on top of the conservative one, which can help you reduce regrets. I believe in you!

ZQ?