I make up my mind, I don't make up my mind
A bad decision is better than no decision at all. - Dan Sullivan
One of my coaches taught me something that fundamentally changed my approach to decision-making. When he saw that others were driving themselves crazy because they wanted to make the "right decision", he just looked at them and said:
Nobody makes the right decisions. You make a decision - and then work to get it right.
I find this attitude far more productive than pondering for years about what the right decision is or worrying afterwards about whether you've chosen the right man, job, place of residence or whatever.
Was my ship the right decision? I don't know. What I do know is that I made the right decision!
Find out how - on my blog or in the book Cast offin which I share how I overcame dozens of obstacles to make the decision a good one.
Was it the right decision to invest 10,000 euros in graphics and printing for the new Coaching book to invest? I don't know. But I am working on making this decision a profitable one for all readers and myself.
Is it the right decision to discover Ireland alone in August? I don't know. But I'm going to do it - on Instagram you can see if I succeed.
Make decisions and then make the best of them: You can do that too.
In times of uncertainty, most people wait.
You hesitate.
They take refuge in bureaucracy.
They think too much and postpone decisions because they are afraid of taking the wrong step.
And that is precisely the wrong decision.
Costs of inefficient decisions
A few impressive facts and figures on the economic damage caused by Non-decision or Delayed decisions:
- McKinsey study (average Fortune 500 company):
Managers spend around 37 % their working time with decisions - some of which 61 % inefficiently utilised become.
For a company of this size, this leads to around 530,000 working days lost - accordingly approx. USD 250 million in labour costs per year (HubSpot, McKinsey & Company).
⏳ Delays significantly prolong projects
- Oxford study (quoted via LinkedIn article):
Delayed decisions can shorten project durations by 25-30 % and extend budgets by up to 33 % overrun. For a £10 million project, this equates to an unnecessary loss of around £3.3mby decision breaks alone (LinkedIn). - According to a Forbes article can only one week delay with 50 decisions be just as productivity-inhibiting in one year as one year of lost working time (Forbes).
- Failure in the sales area 40-60 % of all dealsbecause customers do not decide - directly due to so-called "Buyer Indecision" (strategicdiscipline.positioningsystems.com).
Summary - What does this mean for you?
| Range | Effect |
|---|---|
| Costs | Hundreds of millions of USD due to inefficient decision-making processes |
| Boundary effects | Projects 30 % slower, + Budget costs considerable |
| Sales breakdown in sales | Up to 60 % lost due to indecision |
| Productivity slump | Weekly delay = years of lost working time |
Non-decision-making is more than just waste - it is a Strategic risk. Any hesitation costs you time, money and market opportunities.
Those who decide quickly and act efficiently win Decision advantage - in projects, sales and competitiveness.
Would you like to know, how you can accelerate decision-making processes in your company can? For example with frameworks, tools or governance methods?
Then applies: You don't have to wait.
You can now Make decisions and move forward.
While others are still standing still.
This way of thinking - Acting instead of waiting - is the difference between people who are successful and master their lives and those who are stuck.
Especially in uncertain times, this can be the best moment to make a difference.
Because while the world pauses, you can move forward.
The people who make a difference are not the ones who play it safe.
They are the ones who act, learn and adapt.
Because indecision is not safe - It is the greatest risk of all.
Because when you are indecisive, you don't just stand still ... you slip back. You build up inner pressure, doubt yourself and miss every opportunity to learn.
But the moment you make a decision - any decision - and take action, everything changes:
✔️ You are starting to learn
✔️ You gain knowledge - even from mistakes
✔️ You get moving
✔️ You get feedback and get better
✔️ You are making progress
A very practical tip: ONE daily decision
Instead of starting the day with a list full of competing priorities, opt for one single thingon which you are focussing.
You make the decision to do this one thing no matter what.
The result?
You have (almost always) 100% Success - and your Self-confidence is growing enormously.
After all, self-confidence does not come from thinking, but from acting.
I have the Daily planner that motivates you to prioritise the day. And: It also offers you space for all other to-dos and appointments.
It helps you to think through each day briefly and keep the most important things in mind.
You can here and order directly.
And if you find it really difficult to make decisions:
The impulse booklet Decide. Impulses for the right choice explains proven decision-making strategies - with lots of practical tips for everyday life, work and life.
I hope it was a good decision for you to read this blog post.
If you implement the tips that are helpful to you, you can definitely make the right decision.
PS: Sometimes it helps to think things through really carefully in order to come to a clear decision. Coaching can help you with this.
If you would like support with this, please book here an appointment with me.
