You make so many decisions as a business owner: who to hire, which strategies to pursue, what products to buy, where to advertise, where to spend your cash, how to schedule, when to invest . . . you probably can’t remember the last time you enjoyed a decision-free day. Making decisions is one of the primary responsibilities of a business leader and can be fun and exhilarating, but it can also be exhausting. And the decisions we must make when we feel we don’t have enough information are the hardest decisions of all.
In fact, that’s why most people fail to make decisions. When they don’t have enough information. But we don’t always realize that lack of information is at the core of our indecision. We just feel . . . afraid. Afraid of making the wrong decision, of buying the wrong collection, of wasting money, of partnering with the wrong company or person, of not achieving our goals.
Most people, when faced with a decision that makes them uncomfortable, simply defer. But then, the need to make a decision hovers in the back of your mind, clouding your thinking and your mood. You find yourself avoiding phone calls, doing email instead of progressing in your strategic goals, or looking at the same product images over and over again.
Don’t let fear get in the way of making decisions!
Next time you need to make a decision that frightens you (or just makes you uncomfortable), try these steps:
- Start by stating your goal. It helps to write it on paper. What do you need to achieve when you make this decision? Clarifying your goal shines a light on all the other details.
- Make a list of the pros and cons for making the decision.
- Now, imagine the future. What might happen after you make the decision? Take the time to imagine every possible scenario.
Usually, those steps will be enough to help you decide. If you’re still unsure, reach out to someone whose advice you respect because it is based on experience and success in this area. Ask them to share their thoughts about the decision you face. You’re not asking them to tell you what to decide; you’re asking them to tell you how they would think about the decision if they were in your shoes.
Now it’s time to decide. You have assembled the best information you can, you’ve imagined several possible outcomes, and you’ve asked for advice. You may not be 100% sure, but you don’t have to be. 100% certainty is an illusion! So now it’s time to overcome any residual resistance you have and just . . . decide.
There. Now don’t you feel better?