Do you ever feel weighed down by your business? Chances are that weight is costing you. The faster we move as small business owners, the more money we tend to make. And we don’t mean physically - we mean we benefit from the decisions we make, the ideas we test and throw out (or get excited when they stick) and more.
In the fast-paced world of business, the ability to make quick decisions and act on them can be a game-changer. While analysis is important when it comes to many decisions, small business owners can actually get into “analysis paralysis” more often than they’d like to admit. And with that overthinking comes inaction, missed opportunities, and ultimately, slower growth.
There is truly a cost associated with overthinking.
Every moment spent over analyzing is a moment lost. Consider the opportunity cost: how many potential deals, customers, or innovations slip through your fingers while you're stuck in the decision-making process (and likely know what the right decision already is…)? Successful entrepreneurs understand that time is money. By speeding up your decision-making process, you can seize opportunities, adapt to changes, and outpace your competition.
Strategies for Moving Faster
Set Clear Goals
Knowing what you want to achieve helps streamline decision-making. Establish clear, actionable goals and prioritize decisions that align with these objectives.
Limit Your Options (This works well for both toddlers and adults!)
Too many choices can and will overwhelm you. Narrow down your options to a few viable ones and make a choice. Simplifying your options reduces the time spent on making decisions.
Trust Your Instincts
You didn’t get where you are because you lucked into it. You got here through experience. Trust your gut feelings and make decisions based on your expertise. Not every decision will be perfect, but taking action is better than being stuck in indecision.
Delegate
Empower your team to make decisions within their areas of expertise. This not only speeds up the process but also fosters a culture of trust and accountability.
Set Deadlines
Give yourself and your team a specific timeframe to make decisions. Deadlines create a sense of urgency and prevent prolonged deliberation.
Know What You’re Losing When You’re Slow
Actually say it. Ask yourself: what decision am I currently overanalyzing? And then ask yourself: What if my competition comes to a decision before I do - what could I potentially lose? Having that loss spelled out can create some incredible motivation out of nowhere.
Remember, as a small business owner, agility is one of your greatest assets. We have so much more flexibility than corporations and we need to harness that to really create success within our organizations.
Wondering how you could help your business be more efficient? Start a quick discovery assessment and let’s chat about it.
