How to Stop Overthinking Business Decisions
“One of the biggest mistakes people make is to overthink business decisions.” Jonathan Osler, an experienced educator, once said. “If they are not making progress in their decision-making process, it’s because there are too many variables on their plate or too much information that doesn’t matter,” he says. Osler will give some great advice on stopping overthinking and making better decisions to help their business grow.
1. Don’t rely too heavily on the advice of experts or professionals
According to Osler, most people who give advice root for what they’re advising against — even if subconsciously, because they get paid when their clients do better. Instead, Jonathan explains that they take everything with a grain of salt; what they hear may not work for their particular situation, but they should weigh all the pros and cons.
2. Focus on making a decision, not being right
“In the business world, there are very few black-and-white decisions,” Jonathan says. “Most of them have shades of gray, and that’s OK.” So don’t get bogged down in trying to make the perfect decision — focus on deciding at all. “They can always course-correct if they need to,” he says.
3. Take a step back
When it feels like overthinking is taking over, it’s important to take a step back from the problem and assess it from a different perspective. “I often find that when I’m stuck on a problem, the answer is staring me right in the face, but I’m too close to it to see it,” Osler says.
4. Simplify their life
To make better decisions, they need to be clear headed. And that means simplifying their life as much as possible. “The more cluttered their mind is, the harder it is to focus on anything,” Osler says.
5. Take a break
Trying to force a decision can lead to worse results than if they just took a break from the problem. “Often at times, when people are struggling with making a decision, they’re so close to it that they can’t see the forest for the trees,” Osler says. “Taking a step back and relaxing for a little while can help clear their head and give them some new perspective.”
6. Talk to someone
Getting an outsider’s point of view on a problem can sometimes be very helpful in reaching a decision. “Talking to someone who is unbiased and has no skin in the game can often help them see the situation in a new light,” he says.
7. Know their limitations
“They can’t be good at everything, and they need to accept that,” Osler says. “In business, it’s important to delegate tasks to people who are good at them and have the time and resources to do them.”
8. Treat their business as a business
When they run a business as if it were a hobby — They do not need careful attention and concern — they are less likely to make good decisions. “They treat their business like a hobby when they let months go by without doing things like checking their numbers, connecting with new clients, or reinforcing the relationships they already have,” he says. “This is how businesses whither and die.”
9. Have fun
If they ever find themselves stuck on a decision and feel like letting it go for now but can’t because everything in their head is screaming at them not to screw up this opportunity, take some time to do something fun. “Nothing will clear their mind more than spending time with friends and family.
When it comes to decision-making, Jonathan Osler says the best piece of advice he can give is “Don’t overthink it.” When there are too many variables, and they are stuck inside their head, that’s usually a sign that what they need most is some time away from the problem. “Don’t try to force a decision when not in the right frame of mind,” he says. “There’s no shame in waiting until they feel more clarity.”