I would have published this blog article earlier today – but I couldn’t decide on the topic. Being indecisive, and grappling with it for a few hours, it seemed most fitting to blog about “indecision.”
What entrepreneur hasn’t dealt with indecision throughout the day. It swirls around our cranium, creates confusion, erodes confidence, creates unnecessary stress, and slows small business growth.
Neil Wagner in his article, Indecision and Lack of Commitment Breed Unhappiness, shared an interesting point about indecision:
“A study from Florida State University suggests that some of their problem comes from an inability to commit. Even after making a choice, some people are never truly committed to it.”
Is that it? Are we just not truly committed to the decision we’ve already unconsciously made? Is that what triggers indecision? (Can you feel my stress building?) One thing I know for certain – it definitely makes me unhappy!
When indecision loiters in our brain, it impacts our performance. Like computer files launched and left open, the speed at which our computer (aka brain) is able to process dwindles. Performance suffers.
On the flip side of indecision is decision fatigue. This occurs when multiple decisions made in a day, regardless of importance, depletes our will power. As will-power declines, the ability to make smart choices, wise decisions, and think creativity deteriorates.
Indecision keeps one’s business in limbo. Decision fatigue adds pressure to the business. Even not deciding is a decision! It all begins to feel like a bad episode of NCIS.
Decision Making Framework
Whether it’s missing facts, too many decisions, or uncertainty that contributes to indecision, it doesn’t really matter. What’s most important is to develop a framework to make decisions easily, effortlessly, and in a timely manner.
Here are some supporting structures to add to your decision-making framework:
1. Mission, vision, and strategies. These core elements of your small business are your north star. When decisions align with your mission, vision, and strategies, they are sound.
2. Goals. Does the outcome of a decision contribute to or divert from your goals? Make decisions that influence the advancement of your goals.
3. Gut. It does sound a bit like pop psychology, but more scientific information is being discovered about the value of trusting one’s instinct. It might be time to pay closer attention to your inklings.
4. Timeline. Prevent the paralysis of analysis by creating a time frame for your decisions. A decision made within twenty-four hours prevents immobilization.
5. Coin – as in one to be flipped. If you run through the previous pieces of decision-making and remain undecided, tossing a coin may be the perfect tactic.
Sometimes good enough is the best decision to make.
