How to Make a Big Decision Even When It’s Scary

Some People Make Decisions Better Than Others

In these times of uncertainty, we're forced to make decisions we never imagined. Why is it some people make decisions better than others? It doesn't matter if these decisions are big or small.

There is No Avoiding Decisions

Everyone makes decisions.  What to wear? Coffee of tea? Car or  taxi? What to have for lunch? …. for dinner? Vanilla or chocolate?  Making decisions is a part of life.  Nobody escapes making decisions. Making decisions is a skill that can be learned.  

How to Make Better Decisions?

Making the decision to order something on a menu isn't life changing.  Choosing steak over fish won't change your life.  It’s different to make a decision that will impact your life forever. What about the decision to start an online business? or the decision to keep working towards your dreams even when it's difficult?

Why Do People Put Off Making Decisions?

Starting an online business is a big decision.  That's why lots of people avoid making it. Postponing this decision is a decision in itself. The decision itself isn't scary, its's the underlying emotion behind the decision that keeps us stuck. It’s fear that stops people in their tracks.  

What Stops Us in Our Tracks?

It’s fear that stops people in their tracks. Fear of failure, fear of what people might think, fear of the unknown.  When people are confronted with big decisions, fear gets in the way.

How Do Emotions Impact Our Decisions?

This powerful emotion comes in all shapes and sizes. The good news, fear is a short-term emotion.  Here is a valuable tool to use when fear paralyzes you and stops you from moving forward. 

A Valuable Tool to Get People Unstuck

This tool was invented by Suzy Welch, a business writer for publications such as Bloomberg  Businessweek and O magazine. It’s called 10/10/10.

To use 10/10/10, think about a decision on three different time frames.

Ask yourself, what are the consequences of making a decision?

• How will we feel about making this decision 10 minutes from now?
• What are the consequences of this decision 10 months from now?
• In 10 years where will you be as a result of making this decision?

These time frames force us to put some distance between our emotions (fear) and our decisions.

Here’s how it applied when we made the decision to start our online business: 

Our Story 

As you know, we are executive recruiters, working in an industry that is shrinking and changing as a result of technology.  Every time we see an ad for zip recruiter or indeed we see our cash flow being eroded.  The last 20 years has been a roller coaster of emotion. We never knew the source of our next pay cheque.  This had an impact on our health.  Something had to change. This happened long before the uncertainty of today's times.

One Day Everything Changed

One day we saw a video from a guy who successfully built an online business from scratch. Trusting our intuition, we took the first step to get started.  

10/10/10 in Action

Ten minutes after making the decision to start an online business, the weight of the world was lifted.  At last, we were creating a plan B and getting involved in an industry that was growing in this digital era instead of shrinking.  For the first time in a long time, we had hope for a brighter future.

What are the consequences 10 months from now?

Ten months after making the decision we discovered learning new skills and meeting new people was energizing.  Our minds were staying sharp.  We were learning essential skills for success in the digital era.  It was exhilarating.  

Making a Difference in People's Lives

Building a meaningful business that helps people create brighter futures is fulfilling.   Even after ten months we were making a difference in people’s lives. Our family and our recruitment business was also impacted positively by the knowledge we were gaining through our online business.

How will this impact your life 10 years from today?

Ten years from now, our business provides steady cash flow that we will transfer to our children.  Risk is mitigated through multiple income streams.  No more trading time for money and dealing with roller coaster income. We have valuable skills that have been leveraged to other businesses.  We continue to do our part in making the world a better place.

What's Your Big Decision?

Are you struggling with a big decision?    Try the 10/10/10!   Explore the impact your decision will have in 10 minutes, 10 months and 10 years.  How will this decision impact you, your family and people around the world? Click here to learn how you can launch your online business from scratch.

We look forward to meeting you soon.

Please reach out to us by responding to this email. 

Adrienne and Bob