When you’re in charge of a small business, sometimes you have to make difficult decisions that can change everything. It’s like being the captain of a ship deciding which way to steer to avoid the storm and knowing that in either direction awaits another storm. There will always be tough times, but there are ways to handle them to make tough decisions easier and without too much stress.
Why Are Some Decisions So Hard?
- Big Risks – Imagine deciding whether to buy lots of extra ice cream for your ice cream store before a hot weekend. If the weather changes, you might end up with too much ice cream and no one to buy it!
- Not Enough Information – It’s like trying to solve a puzzle but missing a few pieces. Sometimes, you don’t know everything you need to know to make the best choice.
- Caring and Caring a Lot – Most small business owners really love their business – it’s like their baby. And they care about their employees. This makes it extra hard to decide without worrying too much.
- Not Enough Help – When you have limited resources and a few good employees, every choice feels super important.
How to Make Tough Decisions Easier
Make a Plan for Deciding
It’s good to have a step-by-step plan when you need to make a big decision. Think of it like following a recipe when you bake a cake. You need to know what you’re trying to fix, think of different ways to solve it, check which idea is best, and then go for it!
Ask for Advice and Learn More
It’s okay to not know everything. You can ask people who know more than you or look up information. It’s like asking for directions when you’re lost. Sometimes, talking to people who have been in your shoes can give you great ideas and you don’t have to recreate the wheel.
Look at the Good and the Bad
Write down what could go right and what could go wrong with each choice. Often, a simple T-Chart analysis, a pros and cons list, is all you need to do to help you see the way.
Manage Your Feelings
Making big decisions can make you feel all sorts of things like worry or excitement. It’s important to know it’s okay to feel this way. Sometimes, talking about it or taking a break can help clear your mind.
Think About What Happened
After you decide, think about how it went. What did you learn? What can you do better next time? It’s like after a soccer game, thinking about what went right and what went wrong, can help you do better in the next game.
Practice, Practice, Practice!
Even though making difficult decisions can be scary, having a good plan and asking for help can make it a lot easier. And remember, just like in sports, practice makes perfect. The more you do it, the better you’ll get at steering your business in the right direction!
What are some tough decisions you’ve had to deal with?
Need help with a tough decision? Email Coach Ernie today.
