Every day, from the moment we wake up to the moment we go to sleep, we are faced with decisions. Some are small, like what time to wake up, what to wear, or what to eat for breakfast. Others require a bit more thought, like planning a trip or deciding how to spend a weekend. And then there are the big ones—the decisions that shape our lives: Should I move to a new neighborhood? Should I take a new job? Should I invest in a big opportunity?
It’s easy to get caught up in the process of making the “right” decision, especially when the stakes are high. But what if the real key to success isn’t just about making the right decision, but rather about making the decision right?
Decisions in Our Professional and Personal Lives
Decision-making certainly isn’t limited to our personal lives—it extends to our professional world as well. At work, we constantly make choices: Should I answer my emails now or later? Should I schedule back-to-back meetings or build in some focus time? Do I prioritize this project over another?
As we move up the ladder, decisions become even weightier. Leaders and business owners must decide whether to launch a new product, hire a new team member, or make tough calls about restructuring. In these moments, the pressure to make the “right” choice can be overwhelming.
The Trap of Overthinking and Second-Guessing
We’ve all been there—agonizing over a decision, weighing every possible outcome, and fearing that we might choose wrong. But what happens once we finally commit? Too often, we continue to second-guess ourselves. We dwell on what could have been or hesitate to fully embrace the path we’ve chosen.
This hesitation can be paralyzing. It can make us feel stuck, unsure, and even regretful. But what if, instead of obsessing over whether we made the right choice, we focused our energy on making our choice work?
Making a Decision Right
Dr. Ellen Langer, in her book The Mindful Body, challenges us to shift our perspective. Instead of exhausting ourselves trying to make the perfect decision, we should focus on making our decision right—owning it, committing to it, and making the best of it.
Take, for example, a personal experience from my own career. I’ve attended numerous large conferences for work. As an introvert, these events drain me. They’re intense, overwhelming, and require a lot of energy. I used to debate whether I should even go, agonizing over the decision. But once I committed to attending, I realized the real challenge wasn’t whether I had made the right choice—it was making that choice work for me.
So I developed a strategy:
- I built in downtime, ensuring I had quiet moments to recharge.
- I set realistic networking goals—rather than trying to meet everyone, I aimed for a handful of meaningful conversations.
- I focused on maximizing value, choosing sessions and events that aligned with my goals.
By doing this, I turned a draining experience into a productive one. The key wasn’t the decision itself—it was how I executed it.
Applying This Mindset to Everyday Life
This principle applies everywhere. Imagine you decide to move to a new city for a job opportunity. Instead of constantly questioning if it was the “right” choice, focus on making the best of it: explore your new surroundings, build a community, and immerse yourself in the experience.
Or, say you commit to a new workout routine. Instead of dwelling on whether it was the perfect plan, focus on how you can make it work—adjusting as needed, staying consistent, and celebrating progress.
The same holds true in leadership. If you make a decision to launch a new product or restructure a team, hesitation or second-guessing will only hold you back. Instead, pour your energy into making that decision succeed—course-correcting as needed but moving forward with confidence.
The Challenge: Shift Your Focus
We spend so much time trying to make the right decision. But what if we placed equal, if not more, emphasis on making our decisions right?
Next time you find yourself stuck in indecision, remember: once you commit, the real work begins. Your success isn’t just in the choice itself—it’s in how you embrace and execute it.
See you next week,
Brent, your Rivr Guide
