Just consider one decision at a time

If any of you are like me, you start looking at a problem and want to solve the 20 things that will need to be decided eventually.  You want to see a clear map of how you will get from A to Z.  That wanting turns into not making the first decision because of all the other things that will lead to.  We get stuck because we see the full decision tree, which feels overwhelming.

This topic came up in a discussion this week. When we started talking about the person's situation, my first instinct was that they were at the beginning of their thinking process. I was wrong.

They knew the destination and what it looked like. They had started to take action for steps around G, H, and I but hadn't made the decision that would trigger step A. They were focused on what would have to happen once they made Decision A, and that was stopping them from making any progress. 

They were stuck in the feeling of overwhelm.

One idea we discussed was putting a timeline on that first decision.  Just focus on that one decision and related action.  Just do that one thing.  And then the next.

The thought of too many decisions can be paralyzing.  As leaders, we face multitudes of daily decisions, some very weight decisions and some tiny in the grand scheme of life and work.  But they all add up.

What if you chose to think only about the next decision you need to make? Would that free up some of your brain cycles and energy?

Using a simple example about moving homes:  the first decision is whether you want to move. It's easy to get stuck in the 500 questions after that and then never make that first decision.

• If you decide the answer is no…no more decisions (or maybe a new thread opens up).

• If you decide the answer is yes, the likely next decision is where or when. You get to pick the next critical one.

And keep going down the list of all the decisions that need to be made but ponder one decision at a time.

As a side note, if you're thinking about a moving plan, ask ChatGPT to create a template for your work plan…I tried it last weekend, and I got a good start.

Don't let wondering “what if” about all the decisions stop you from making the first one.

What decision do you need to make today?