Stop putting off decisions!

Pick up the remote control and turn on TV or stop by the grocery store, and it’s clear: We are bombarded with near-overwhelming choices in almost every aspect of our lives. 

If you’re a business owner or manager, you may feel as though you have so many options that it’s easier to do nothing than to deal with everything from what hours to stay open to pay rates, to what to charges for services or merchandise and even what color the sign out front should be.

While we can’t avoid making countless decisions, we can make the process less stressful and learn to make quicker, better choices. Try the following to help with your decision-making skills. 

• Just do it. Yes, some decisions (choosing a spot for a new location, deciding whether you need a business loan) need extensive research and time. Many decisions just don’t need that kind of soul-searching, even though we can act as though they do. Don’t put too much importance on everyday decisions (Burger or sandwich? Either is good!). Just make them. You might be surprised to find out that the more decisions you make, the easier it becomes to make decisions.
• Weigh the facts. Going with your instincts is fine for some decisions, but when there are details to consider, review the data fully. You can add your gut feeling to the mix, but if your numbers are telling you that you can’t afford to double your rent, then stop looking for a bigger place.
• No decision is a decision, too. We often think that if we put off a decision (because we’re “thinking about it”), that doesn’t count. Many decisions are made by default – the deadline goes by, the offer is off the table, a potential employee takes another job. Even if you’re not actively making decisions, you’re still making them. Why not be proactive, instead of  making them by default?
• You don’t have to personally make every decision. This is difficult for owners and managers who think they must handle everything themselves. Key employees can make many decisions effectively. Give critical parameters (such as the budget for a project), and let your staff make some decisions. Then, trust their choices.
• Move on. Did you make a perfect choice? There’s no way to know. Living in the past and reviewing every aspect of a decision is a sure way to be unhappy and to miss what’s happening in the present. Remember, too, that many decisions are reversible. Don’t like the towels you bought? Purchase some new ones. New hours not working out? Change them. You get to choose what’s most important to you.

When it comes to making decisions, the most important thing to remember is not to get bogged down. Make thoughtful decisions, based on your mission and your values.  Think things through (but don’t over-think), and you’ll help ensure that your business  (and your life) are continually moving in the right direction – one decision at a time.