Dr. Slava Shut

Welcome to Fearless Fridays, where I share strategies to help you pursue your dreams without hesitation. Today we’re talking about making good decisions. Are you ready? Let’s get into it!

When it comes to making choices, we all know that one wrong decision can impact the entire outcome of a day, deal, or goal. And though sometimes we aren’t able to see what the best choice was until after the fact, there are some ways to ensure that your mind is firing on all cylinders when the time comes to choose. Check out these 7 strategies to keep you from feeling paralyzed by indecision:

1. Sleep on it. Literally. Getting enough rest is the best way to have a clear head and be able to function. Studies have shown that sleep deprivation can make your body mimic the symptoms of intoxication. So get those z’s!

2. Set a Deadline. Acting on impulse can be a surefire way to make a mistake. Your emotions are in the driver’s seat, you haven’t had the chance to digest the problem, and you can hit a mental roadblock if you’re trying to push a solution out quickly. Give yourself time to decide, step away from the choice, and then return with a different mindset. However, also make sure there’s a hard end in sight as well. If not, you could end up sitting on a decision forever.

3. Delegate. The art of learning which question to address first isn’t one that comes naturally, so take the time to hone your ability to order tasks, decisions, and potential hurdles accordingly. That way, you don’t spend precious brain power on a problem that never really needed your attention, or could wait until later.

4. Consult the Team. If you have a board, a family, or a mentor you trust, take the decision to them and get a different set of eyes on it. Hearing a fresh point of view can be just the thing you need to think outside the box and see solutions from a different angle.

5. Make Sure You Have More Than One Option. Don’t overwhelm yourself and succumb to decision fatigue but recognize that there’s always more than one way to solve a problem. Take timely consideration and play out each decision to its logical end. Speaking of…

6. Ask Yourself, “What’s the Worst That Can Happen?” You know what they say, “Expect the worst, but hope for the best.” Despite all your precautions, there’s always a chance that the wrong choice could still be made. But that’s okay, life is about adapting, not always being right. Consider what the worst option might be and see what your follow-up plan might be – future you might end up thanking you for it.

7. COMMIT. Easier said than done, I know, but once you make a choice, commit to it. Go all in and be confident in the choice you’ve made. You gathered reasons, looked at different angles, and prepared for it – you’ve got this.

Now that you have these strategies in your toolbelt, get out there and make some choices – I believe in you!