Eventually every entrepreneur will run into it…a decision that requires combing through data and
deciding what’s important and what is not. Once you find the information you need, then you have to
analyze it. At this point many entrepreneurs not only freeze, but stop dead cold. The term “analysis
paralysis” is frequently used to describe this freeze when the information is overwhelming your ability
to make a decision. The doubts creep in and your decision making slows to a stop. So what do you do?
How do you move beyond it and actually make a decision?
As an entrepreneur, this is when you need to engage BOTH sides of your brain. The process of analyzing
the data comes from the left brain as does the doubt of having courage to do what needs to be done.
The courage to defy the odds and do it anyway comes from the right brain. So how do you reconcile the
two halves to make your decision? As a left brain entrepreneur, here are a few ideas for moving beyond
the paralysis and making your decision:
1.Eliminate.
Cut your choices in half immediately. Rule out those that do not serve your customers. If they
all serve your customers, then rule out those that would reach the fewest of them.
2. Pro/Con List
A simple tool that is frequently overlooked as an easy way to see the positives and minuses in
your options. Make a pro/con list for the items that remain. The longest pro list should be the
logical choice. Now reconcile that with your “feeling”.
3. Trust your instincts
As a left brain entrepreneur this is the tough one. Gut is a right brain trait, but here you
need to listen to what it says and focus on making the best decision for your customers. Too
frequently businesses get caught up on doing what they think is right for the shareholders. In
this new economy (something we’ll talk more about soon) you need to make decisions based on
authenticity and support of the customer. Remember without them you have no business.
4. Have courage and follow through
Once you have made a decision follow through with it. Trust your gut and stick with it. Give
your decision a chance to work, once you have supported it for a while if it doesn’t seem to be
working go back and review your options. It may not need to be scrapped completely but a little
tweaking of the idea may be in order.
Examining the data thoroughly is important, but remember so is making a decision. To use both sides
of your brain as an entrepreneur is challenging, but honor the left as much as the right and you’ll
eventually feel good that you made the best choice.
Onward,
Lara
