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3 Invaluable Rules for Decision Making

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I’ve been flipping through the menu for several minutes now, fighting my indecision. Each dish was attractive in its own way. It looks like you’ll have to order everything. Do you think this stupid decision is not even worth considering? Quite possible. Nevertheless, I bet that you yourself have faced similar difficulties, if not with the choice of the dish, then with something else.

Every day we spend an inordinate amount of time and energy choosing between equally attractive options. However, despite the fact that they seem to us to be of equal importance, each of them attracts us in its own way, which forces us to compromise, even if we are only making a choice between cabbage salad (easy and healthy), salmon (harder to digest protein) and ravioli (tasty, but high in carbohydrates).

Even if such mundane decisions take so much time and energy from us, what can we say about the more serious situations that we face every day in our organizations? Which product should you continue to release and which one should you discontinue? Who to hire and who to fire? Should I start this difficult conversation?

How can we learn to cope more effectively with all kinds of difficult decisions? To do this, I use three methods, and the third I discovered as recently as last week.

First Method – Reduce Associations

The first method is to use the power of habit to significantly reduce the fatigue associated with routine matters. The bottom line is that if you make it a habit, for example, to always have a salad for lunch, then you no longer have to make decisions on this issue at all. This way, you will save energy for other activities. It is a powerful method when it comes to predictable and routine decisions. But what about non-standard situations?

Second Method – If/Then Algorithm

The second method involves the use of an if / then algorithm to simplify spontaneous decisions. For example, imagine a situation where someone constantly interrupts you and you do not know how to react to it. In this case, my rule would sound like this: if a person interrupts me twice in a conversation, then I will reprimand him. However, there remains the problem of large, strategic decisions that cannot be predicted or made into a habit.

“You cannot make progress without making decisions.” – Jim Rohn

Third Method – Use a Timer

Last week I was at a retreat with the management of a high-tech company. It was in this meeting that I found an easy way to deal effectively with difficult choices. The firm faced challenges the consequences of which were impossible to predict.

On the agenda were questions of this kind: In the production of which products to invest more funds, how to respond to threats from competitors, how best to merge with a recently acquired company, where to cut the budget, how to organize an accountability system, and so on.

It is such decisions that can drag on for weeks, months, or even years, hindering the development of the organization as a whole. They cannot be turned into a habit or resolved with an if / then algorithm. And most importantly, these are questions to which there are no clear and deliberately correct answers.

The management of companies tends to hesitate in making decisions of this kind, collecting more and more data, repeatedly weighing the pros and cons, attracting additional consultants – in general, postponing the decision in the hope that later there will be a clear answer.

But what if we take as a basis the fact that such an answer simply does not exist? Perhaps this will speed up the decision-making process?

So I was thinking, sitting at this meeting, where again, for the umpteenth time, they discussed a painful question – what to do with a certain business, when suddenly the CEO interrupted the debate, loudly declaring: “It’s quarter past three. We have to work out a solution within the next fifteen minutes. “

“Wait a minute,” said the CFO, “this isn’t an easy question. Maybe we can return to discuss it at dinner or at the next meeting? “

The CEO was determined, “No, we’ll make a decision in fifteen minutes.”

And you know what? We did it.

This is how I found my third decision-making method: use a timer. If the challenges you face have been explored enough, the choices are equally attractive and the answer has not been found, admit that it is impossible to determine the right course and just make a decision

Of course, it would be nice to first check its effectiveness – for example, create a trial version with a minimum investment in it. But even if you cannot do this, a decision must still be made. The time you save by cutting back on fruitless evaluations and discussions will be of immense benefit to you in terms of productivity.

Wait a minute, you argue, if you spend more time on it, sooner or later there will still be a correct answer. It may very well be. But, firstly, you will lose a bunch of precious hours, days, and weeks waiting for “enlightenment”. Secondly, the correctness of this one and the only decision will teach you in many other cases to hesitate in empty hopes for a clear answer.

Make a Decision and Move On

Try this method now. Pick a decision you’ve been putting off for a long time, give yourself three minutes and you will succeed. If you are inundated with unresolved questions, take a piece of paper and make a list of them. Set a time in advance for yourself and in order, one by one, make the best possible decision at the moment. Making decisions – any decisions – will give you a sigh of relief and move on.

As for my lunch, I opted for the coleslaw. Is this the best option? I do not know. But at least I no longer sit over the menu trying to place an order.

Rachel Burnham is a professional in the Management and Marketing spheres. She has more than five years of experience as a COO of Marketing in VeePN VPN company. Rachel Burnham knows exactly how to unblock any web site and protect the data privacy of the employee. Also, she has succeeded in the areas of Data Entry, Business Development, Cybersecurity Engineering, and Project Management.

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Transform your forgotten bio link into a high-impact gateway that fuels engagement, clicks, and conversions across every social platform.

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Personal Development

These 11 Habits Will Make You More Productive, Successful, and Confident

Boost your focus, confidence, and results with 11 powerful habits successful people use every day.

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Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.

But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.

Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.

1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task

Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.

After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.

Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.

But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.

2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First

Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.

Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”

For example, if you’re a writer:

  • Research your topic at night.

  • Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).

  • Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.

You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.

3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace

Focus is the foundation of success.

According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.

Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.

Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.

4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life

Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”

This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.

If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.

5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills

Knowledge compounds over time.

Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.

I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.

Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.

6. Develop a Growth Mindset

Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.

  • A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.

  • A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.

Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.

7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You

I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.

If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.

Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.

Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.

8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions

Good mentors can fast-track your growth.

While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.

If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.

9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations

Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”

Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.

When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.

10. Focus on Your Strengths

Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.

If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.

A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.

Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.

11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs

Your beliefs shape your reality.

For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.

Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.

Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.

Final Thoughts

Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.

You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.

Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.

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