Business Success Tips: 6 Decision Making Strategies for Women Entrepreneurs

There are many traits of successful entrepreneurs -- decisiveness is one of them. Nothing is more powerful than making conscious choices that shape your life's path and also reflect your priorities and what you value most. But the challenge at times is figuring out how to make sound decisions without waffling back and forth, or worse, rethinking your decision over and over again after making up your mind. Not only is this approach a huge waste of time, it also robs you of energy, creates unnecessary stress and anxiety, and takes your attention away from other important aspects of your business. Here are some quick strategies to become a more masterful decision maker: 1. Trust your instincts. If you're like me, your gut will never steer you wrong. Listen to it instead of second guessing yourself and over analyzing your options. Let go of the need to have every angle of the scenario revealed before moving forward. Remember no decision is permanent; if it feels right, go for it and redirect as things continue to unfold. 2. Do your research. Making reliable decisions requires the correct information. Get your facts and figures straight by doing some research on your own or consulting those with the relevant expertise. 3. Map out your pros & cons. For complex decisions, it's often helpful to create a mind map of the pros and cons. Additionally, assign a value to each based on their importance to you. It amazes me how this simple visual aid can help you figure out next steps. 4. Start small. Practice making quick decisions in areas where the consequences are relatively minor. Over time you will be able to make more significant decisions with greater ease. Learn to trust your judgment and accept the consequences too. Remember, it's the small wins along the way that matter most. 5. Set limits. The longer it takes you to make critical decisions that affect your bottom line, the more money you are leaving on the table. Consider making a bold promise of when you will complete or deliver something to your clients or mentor. Not only does sharing this information raise the accountability bar, it forces you to work through places of indecision more quickly and take action within a specific timeframe. 6. Face your fears. The fear of making mistakes is a huge barrier that prolongs decision making. However, at some point you must decide that moving forward is more important than standing still -- no matter the outcome. There is much learning that comes about even when things don't go according to plan. Becoming more decisive is key to more intentional living and purpose driven success. Take a pro-active approach to making choices and produce more optimal results in your life and business.