Charles Merrill of Merrill Lynch once said that if he made decisions fast, he was right 60% of the time. If he took time, analyzed a situation and made a decision carefully, he would be right 70% of the time. However, the extra 10% was seldom worth the time.
Hmmm.
I tend to agree. Decisions seldom are anchored in concrete. If you don’t like the outcome from that decision, make another decision. Most areas that we deal with daily in business don’t carry a life or death connection. It’s okay to change your mind. It’s okay to change directions. It’s okay to scrap it and start fresh. It’s okay to keep the momentum churning and things moving forward.
Find yourself feeling paralyzed about moving forward in this or that only because you’re worried you’ll choose the wrong door to open? Stop it. You’re being your greatest roadblock to achieving what you want. Don’t blame it on your peers or employees. Don’t think that it’s unattainable. Leap! Step out! Put something, anything into action.
Writer Rita Mae Brown once said, “Good judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgment.” Experience is golden in boosting your worth and value in a client’s eyes. Don’t you owe it to yourself to move past making decisions that are long and drawn out. There’s much to be accomplished so don’t waste time dilly-dallying.
Your challenge for the next month (should you accept): Open a fresh spreadsheet and note the decisions you make within the next 2 weeks or even a month. All that’s needed is a phrase or word to clue you in on the decision with another column for a word or two about decision to be followed. Example: Blog Regularly – Post twice weekly. After the time passed re-elevate and determine if this is working or could stand some modification. Modification required? Fine. Make a new decision and go with it. The new decision could be to scale back the frequency, hire someone to write the posts, organize a blogging team to share the postings, or repurpose content from another area.
During this time I encourage you to trust your gut. Go with your first instincts because they will seldom steer you wrong. You’ll quickly realize that you do have what it takes. You’re often equipped to make the decision now.
As you look back over your spreadsheet you’ll gain affirmation that you’re doing okay. Plus, your superior insight will sharpen.