The life of a leader is a life full of decisions! Some decisions may be simpler than others to make. A new business partner? A sales strategy? Hiring a team? The dates of your next vacation?
When it comes time to make an important decision, how quickly are you able to take action quickly enough to seize opportunities?
Because for me, that’s what it’s all about: taking action. Decisions that paralyze us or create anxiety and stress cost us a lot of energy and don’t lead us to our goals.
Here are a few tips to help you make decisions that suit you, quickly.
FACT #1: Too much separate information or opinions quickly turns into decision paralysis.
Let’s take an example. You need to select your next vacation. Will it be easier to decide if you have to:
- Choosing between two or three destinations reflecting certain criteria you have set for yourself?
- Choosing a destination from a 60-page catalogue? Or browse sites for hours in search of THE destination?
I bet it’s with a reduced offer, pre-filtered according to your personal criteria, that you’ll decide faster, book your trip and go on vacation. Some of you, in front of the catalog, may even find yourself without a destination at the end (simpler) or will take any destination (too much effort to decide).
Too much information complicates decision-making.
The paralysis of decision-making is concretely reflected in the lack of action… which causes you to miss out on opportunities.
FACT #2: Yes, it’s healthy to seek advice. No, it’s not healthy to ask for too much.
Let’s be honest, who really applies the advice they receive? And who is not frustrated to see all his advice turn into… No action?
If you ask me for my opinion on a difficult situation with a business partner or an employee and I have just experienced the same thing, I would advise you to think carefully. If I have always refused to deal with these situations, I would tell you to be careful. If I have lived through this situation successfully, I will encourage you despite your fears.
No matter where you start from and what you are looking for, I will be in good faith, and will speak according to MY experience, MY personality, MY experience. We each have our own story, each our own context and MY advice is based on MY experience. Take only what belongs to you. And that’s perfect. We are human and that’s how humans work.
An example? In the first few months when I started my business, I asked a lot (too much) for advice from various people, with various expertise. This had the impact of weakening the confidence I had in my project. It was my coach who made me realize this, because she didn’t advise me but led me to find my own answers. I decided to take all the precious advice I received, write it down, and keep only the ones that really resonated with me.
How can you decide or take responsibility for your decision, while being informed about the aspects you need?
TIP #1 Trust your intuition
Intuition is cultivated. Trusting him also means learning to trust himself more. Our intuition is personal and internal. What does she tell you? Listen to her and decide. If this scares you, listen to her for decisions that are not risky at first. It is an invaluable tool. The more you use it, the stronger it will be. Many people like to validate their intuition, for example with the following tricks:
TIP #2 Announce that your decision is almost made and ask for advice on a particular aspect.
In other words, get the information YOU need to finalize your decision. Examples:
- “I almost completely decided to go into business, considering the pros and cons. I would need advice to discuss this with my life partner, can you help me? »
- “I’m going to go into business, and I feel like I’m missing information in defining a business niche, can you help me with that?” It’s very different from asking, “Do you think I’m ready to go into business?”
TIP #3 Let the Received Reviews Settle
Manage the tips by putting them in writing and then letting them settle for at least 24 hours. Then reread them, asking yourself what really belongs to you. Discard the rest.
You are the best person to make the decisions that affect you.
Remember that the review received was based on its issuer and not on you.
TIP #4 Avoid making scenarios based on perceptions
Validate, educate yourself, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Many of my clients are experiencing stress over scenarios they have built for themselves.
Example: “My client won’t call me back because I’m sure he’s not satisfied!” Oh, really? Did you ask him?
In conclusion
- Trust your intuition
- Ask for the precise, necessary details that YOU need.
- Don’t stay on perceptions by making scenarios. Go and validate directly with the people concerned or look for specific information.
- Don’t let yourself be too influenced by other people’s insecurities or risk-taking levels. Respect yours.
I repeat: You are the best person to make the decisions that affect you.