The effect of unmade decisions

I wanted to kick last year off with a bang.

But the reality was, I was stuck.

Torn between options for business growth, issues to focus on and an identity struggle for what role I should play in it all.

Getting unstuck wasn't that simple in the thick of it and it's only now, a year later that it's clear what I would do in the future if I'm stuck again. 

I thought that might be useful for a few of you.

Let's take a look.

If you’re stuck like I was, you’re probably carrying a decision you won’t make.

I’ve seen this pattern in myself again recently which has shown up as the same problem repeatedly raised.

In my case, “stuck” isn’t a capability problem (I know how to solve it). It’s a commitment problem.

When you avoid a key decision, your brain builds a workaround:

• more discovery
• more meetings
• more tweaks

You kick the issue down the road saying things like “let’s revisit this next week”

It feels like you’re doing the right thing prioritising other things by delaying it. But often it’s just that you’re just avoiding making the hard decision.

In my case, dragging my feet on something caused priorities to drift, standards to erode, good people get frustrated and no doubt a few cash leaks.

When you zoom out and observe what's happening, being ‘stuck’ is a symptom. The real issue is unmade decision.

No doubt you can relate on some level Dian.

What “carrying a decision” looks like

If you recognise any of these, you’re probably in it:

• You keep working on the plan (because picking a direction closes doors)
• You’ve scheduled the same conversation three times (with no outcome)
• You’re collecting opinions (because you want permission)
• The team is waiting on you (but nobody says it directly)
• Your to-do list is full (but nothing actually shifts)

A few decisions I've avoided:

In my experience, nearly every “stuck” moment is one of these:

1. A people decision

Keep / coach / move / exit. You already know the answer. You just don’t want the pain.

2. A focus decision

What are we not doing this quarter? Stuck leaders refuse to delete.

3. A money decision

Raise prices, cut costs, kill a pet project, simplify the range, renegotiate terms or change from a supplier you have a relationship with.

4. An identity decision

What kind of business are we actually building? Premium vs mass. Craft vs scale. Boutique vs platform. Stuck happens when you try to be two competing things at the same moment in time.

Here are some things I try when I'm facing those::

If you’re stuck on something, don’t carry it as this year kicks off. Force yourself to make a decision.

I imagine myself in a room with two doors out.

Leaving through one door means you’re pausing/killing the other ideas (for now).

It means you’ve committed to that project or direction from here on.

Having a decision shapes your future decisions/actions.

But I also know it’s never that easy. So if you’re still stuck on making the call, figure out if it’s reversible or irreversible.

Most decisions are reversible. We just treat them like they’re life-or-death.

Reversible = decide fast, then iterate like crazy.

Irreversible = decide deliberately with good consultation, but still decide.

And... if you’re still stuck, set a decision deadline of 3-5 days.

Not “soon”. Lay down a date and tell your team so there's some accountability.

My point is that you don’t get unstuck by thinking harder or kicking it down the road longer.

You get unstuck by deciding faster.

Because every unmade decision creates more complexity, more meetings, and more emotional load.

If you’re feeling stuck this, don’t add another task, Make the damn decision you’re probably avoiding!

Take care and have a great week!