Being an entrepreneur and running a growing business is no mean feat. Of course, there are highs and lows involved and it’s important to take each day as it comes as you deal with a plethora of different situations.
From growing clients, to service issues, to product development, to people management, the list goes on and on. As much as I might want every decision to be quick and easy, this just isn’t the case.
For instance, if we began to use new software which automated certain processes, this may mean that we need to make a staff member redundant. This is a tough decision to let someone go, but looking at this objectively with the needs of the business at the forefront of my mind, is it more effective, affordable and efficient to introduce the software? Yes. It doesn’t make the decision any easier, especially when it comes to letting someone go, but assessing your situation does allow you to gain logical perspective removed of emotions.
This is obviously just an example, but there are so many decisions that I would consider to be ‘tough’ on a daily basis when growing my business. Overtime, I feel I have developed a process to making these tough decisions which makes them a little easier to deal with and move forward with.
Here are 3 suggestions to help you make tough decisions, as I do:
Look To The Future, Not The Present
When you’re faced with a difficult decision, you can’t help but remain to be anchored in the present moment and everything that’s happening right now.
Rather than looking at ‘now’, look at ‘next month’, or even ‘next year’. What will the outcome be in 6 months? In 12 months? This process allows you to be far more objective.
Decide With Your Head, Not Your Heart
Difficult decisions often come with a lot of emotional baggage.
In order to make the right decision in your business, you need to unplug your heart and use your head. Head-based decisions make far more sense on paper and are far more appropriate than those made with the heart. That’s not to say you should be cold and uncaring when coming to a decision, but logic needs to dictate the outcome over all else.
Strongly Consider The Impact Of Your Decision
Taking into account how your decision might affect those around is crucial to making the right decision.
Without careful consideration of the consequences of your decision, you may find yourself making choices impulsively, resulting in an undesirable outcome. Whether it be your staff, your customers, your suppliers, your clients, your partners, your board, your family, whoever this decision might effect; consider pros and cons and ensure that enough weight is allocated where you decide to make your choice.
When making tough decisions, how do you do it?
Tough decisions will present themselves often when you’re growing a business, but as long as you look to the future, decide with your head and consider the impact, you will find yourself feeling more and more confident in your decision-making ability as you grow and develop as an entrepreneur.
