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Step 1 of 5
Question
Every decision starts with a question, a problem, a need, an idea, or a goal. Define the issue effectively before anything else — if you misidentify it, you'll solve the wrong problem.
The Courage to Decide
"Albert Einstein believed the quality of your solution is directly proportional to your ability to identify the problem you want to solve."
What's happening now, and why is it a problem? Keep it to one or two sentences.
How will the business or situation look once you've made your decision?
What decision can you make to bridge the gap between the problem now and the future vision?
How urgent and significant is this decision?
Step 2 of 5
Challenge
Challenge everything — especially yourself and the information you rely on. Your reality is a mesh of intuition, assumptions, and biases. Each powerfully influences your actions without you noticing.
Watch for this
"Assumptions held without being disproved can morph into facts and transform into beliefs. Beliefs, beneficial or harmful, steer the decisions that we make." — The Courage to Decide
List the assumptions underpinning this decision. For each one, ask: what if this is wrong?
Is it current? Is it from a trusted source? How confident are you in it?
Tick any cognitive biases that may be influencing this decision.
Someone who has no emotional investment in the outcome — what would they challenge you on?
Step 3 of 5
Identify
Identify your alternatives, risks, and consequences. You always have a choice — without choice, there is no decision. Every option carries inherent risk. Activity and inactivity both have consequences.
The Courage to Decide
"You can pivot or pause, but don't panic. Being clear about what you want determines the success or not of your business."
List at least three options — including doing nothing. Rate the risk (Low / Med / High) and potential outcome for each.
Alternative
Risk
Outcome
For your preferred option — is the risk worth the reward?
What happens if you act? What happens if you don't?
Based on alternatives, risk and consequences — which option do you lean toward and why?
Step 4 of 5
Own
Take responsibility for your choice. Communicate it. Act on it. The decision is yours — own it before, during, and after. A decision not communicated is a decision not made.
Before you commit
Does this decision fit your goals, your business, and your personal life? Does it align with your highest values, passions, and priorities? Is the risk worth the reward?
State it clearly. One sentence. No hedging.
Who is affected by this decision and needs to be communicated to?
What are the first three specific steps you will take to implement this decision?
When will this decision be fully implemented?
Step 5 of 5
Review
Create a continuous feedback loop to monitor performance. Rarely is the post-decision world without pitfalls. Learn how to pivot, pause — but don't panic.
The Courage to Decide
"Making better decisions will positively change your business and your life. Pivot or pause, but don't panic."
What specific, observable evidence will tell you this decision is working?
When will you formally review whether this decision is working?
What specific result would tell you the decision needs to change? Name it now — before you're emotionally invested in the outcome.