In the whirlwind of entrepreneurship, even the smallest decisions can feel monumental.
As an Executive and Leadership coach, I guide owners and CEOs through transformative decisions that shape their businesses and impact their bottom line.
Yet, the other night, I found myself in tears over choosing a lamp for my living room. The irony is not lost on me - how could someone so adept at navigating high-stakes business decisions be so paralyzed by something as seemingly trivial as home décor?
The Real Story Behind the Lamp
Let me take you back to that night. My living room, a space meant for relaxation and time with family and friends, had been missing the perfect lamp for months. After a long day of coaching clients and strategizing for their success, I thought I’d finally tackle this small home project. Little did I know, this decision would bring me to tears.
The frustration wasn’t really about the lamp. It was about the mounting pressure of constant decision-making and the fear of inadequacy that lurks in the background. As entrepreneurs, we often face this paradox. We make crucial, impactful decisions every day, but when it comes to the small stuff, we sometimes falter. Why is that?
Decision Fatigue: The Weight of Constant Decision-Making
Entrepreneurs and leaders are in a perpetual state of decision-making. From strategic planning to daily operations, our minds are constantly evaluating options and outcomes. This mental load is exhausting. By the end of the day, the cognitive energy required to choose between a modern lamp, or a vintage one feels insurmountable.
Consider this: some psychological studies suggest that the average person makes thousands of decisions every single day. That's a staggering number, and it's no wonder we experience decision fatigue. A century ago, our choices were far more limited. The sheer volume and complexity of decisions in today's world - from what to wear and eat to how to run a business - contribute significantly to our mental exhaustion.
This phenomenon, known as decision fatigue, is still being researched, however its effects are very real. Our brains, like muscles, get tired. The more decisions we make, the harder each subsequent decision becomes. It's no wonder that after a day of high-stakes choices, a simple decision - in my case, about a lamp - can push us to the edge.
I’ve heard from other small business owners that they experience the same, whether trying to decide on their next coffee order when the line-up of patrons is out the door behind them, or scrolling through their streaming service options until they fall asleep having watched nothing at all. If you have found yourself stuck on a simple, non-consequential choice, that might be your mind cueing you that there is more going on than the decision at hand.
The Underlying Fear of Inadequacy
Beyond decision fatigue lies a deeper issue - our fear of inadequacy. Entrepreneurs are driven by a desire for growth and learning, but this drive can also lead to self-doubt. We constantly question if we’re making the right decisions, not just in business but in all aspects of our lives. The small decisions, like choosing a lamp, become symbolic. They represent our fear that we’re not good enough, that we might make a wrong choice even in the simplest of matters.
Embracing Growth Through Small Decisions
So, how do we navigate this paradox? How do we embrace growth and learning without being paralyzed by the small decisions?
Acknowledge Decision Fatigue: Recognize when you’re mentally exhausted. Give yourself permission to delay non-urgent decisions until you’re in a better headspace. Doing this makes it easier to move on to the next steps.
Simplify Choices: Limit the options available to you. In my case, instead of browsing through hundreds of lamps, I narrowed it down to a few that fit my style and needs.
Trust Your Instincts: Remember that there are no perfect decisions, only the ones we make. Trust your instincts and make the choice. Reminding myself that the world won’t end if I pick the “wrong” lamp, for example.
Celebrate Small Wins: Every decision, big or small, is a step forward. Celebrate these wins and acknowledge your capability in making decisions, no matter how trivial they seem.
And my lamp? Well, I picked, I picked something that makes me smile, and that’s all that matters. I can try to explain it away or assign it a style choice, but that’s not how I roll in my home. I have an eclectic mix of style and function when it comes to design and trying to categorize and justify this decision will only make me second-guess it.
What’s most important is that, like with every decision, what I chose at the time was specific to that moment or circumstance and now has meaning.
The lamp in my living room now serves as a reminder. It’s not just a source of light, but a symbol of the everyday challenges we face as entrepreneurs. It’s a testament to the growth that comes from navigating both big and small decisions, and a reminder that it’s okay to struggle sometimes. After all, it’s through these struggles that we learn and grow the most.
So, the next time you find yourself in tears over a seemingly small decision, remember it’s your mind sending you a bigger message. For me, it was a lesson and reminder to embrace the journey of growth and learning. A reminder that I also need rest and recalibration, and then allowing myself the space to do just that. Giving myself this space re-set my feelings of adequacy and, in turn, revitalized the trust in my ability to make decisions, both big and small. After all, it was never actually about the lamp.
Janice Otremba is a Certified Executive Coach and People & Performance Catalyst with over 25 years of experience. Reach out today by completing a Needs Assessment to discover how she can partner with you and your organization in achieving your development goals.
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