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How to Build Powerful Decision-Making Habits Quickly.
Transform Your Career Like A Pro.
Glen Patterson
January 14, 2025
“Whenever you see a successful business, someone once made a courageous decision.” -Peter Drucker
Want to stop agonizing over every career move? From landing that dream job to finally asking for a raise, career decisions can feel HUGE. Studies show that professionals who make confident, timely decisions are more likely to succeed. Employers value individuals who can assess situations, weigh options, and take decisive action. After all, every promotion, new opportunity, or big career move begins with a single decision.
And moreover, decision-making is a skill. It’s not about luck or a “gut feeling” — it’s about being intentional and aligning your choices with your goals. But here’s the good news: Decision-making is a skill you can master. The best careers aren’t accidental; they’re crafted by thoughtful, strategic actions repeated consistently over time
Let’s explore why it matters and how to quickly develop habits that make decision-making a strength, not a struggle.
Lesson 1. Clarify Your Career Goals
Why It Matters:
Clear goals act as a compass, guiding your decisions and ensuring they align with your long-term vision. Without clarity, it’s easy to get stuck in indecision or make choices that don’t serve your purpose.
How to Do It:
Define Your “Why”: Ask yourself what you want to achieve in your career and why it matters.
Write Down Your Goals: Break them into short-term (3–6 months) and long-term (1–5 years) objectives.
Use Your Goals as a Filter: When faced with a decision, ask, “Does this align with my career goals?”
Example: If your goal is to transition into a leadership role, you might prioritize taking on a challenging project over staying in your comfort zone.
Lesson 2. Use the 80/20 Rule
Why It Matters:
Not all decisions are equal. The 80/20 rule (Pareto Principle) suggests that 20% of your choices often drive 80% of your outcomes. Learning to identify and focus on high-impact decisions is crucial.
How to Do It:
Prioritize: List your decisions and identify which ones have the greatest potential to affect your career.
Take Action Quickly on Small Decisions: Don’t waste energy overanalyzing minor choices like selecting between two networking events.
Invest Time in High-Stakes Decisions: Spend more time gathering information and weighing options for critical decisions, like job offers or skill-building investments.
Example: Instead of overthinking every LinkedIn connection request, prioritize decisions like whether to accept a stretch assignment that could fast-track your growth.
Lesson 3. Embrace the 2-Minute Rule
Why It Matters:
Procrastination kills decision-making momentum. The 2-minute rule encourages you to take immediate action on decisions you can resolve quickly, reducing decision fatigue.
How to Do It:
Act Immediately on Simple Choices: If you can make a decision in under two minutes (e.g., replying to an email or RSVPing to an event), do it immediately.
Avoid Perfectionism: Not every decision requires exhaustive analysis — learn to trust your instincts for smaller tasks.
Example: When deciding whether to attend a professional webinar, ask yourself quickly: “Will this help my goals?” If yes, register immediately.
Lesson 4. Build a Decision-Making Framework
Why It Matters:
Having a consistent process for evaluating decisions removes guesswork and helps you act with confidence.
How to Do It:
Gather Information: Identify the key facts or data needed to make an informed decision.
Evaluate Options: List the pros and cons of each choice.
Set a Deadline: Give yourself a specific timeframe to decide and stick to it.
Take Action: Commit fully to your choice without second-guessing.
Example: When considering a job offer, evaluate factors like compensation, growth opportunities, and company culture. Use a weighted scoring system to compare the pros and cons of each offer.
“Make decisions based on 70% of the information you think you need.” -Jeff Bezos
Lesson 5. Seek Feedback and Learn from Experience
Why It Matters:
No one makes perfect decisions every time. Learning from past choices and seeking advice can refine your decision-making habits over time.
How to Do It:
Ask Mentors for Advice: Gain perspective from trusted colleagues or mentors when facing significant decisions.
Review Your Outcomes: Reflect on past decisions — what worked, what didn’t, and why?
Adjust Your Process: Continuously refine your decision-making framework based on what you learn.
Example: After choosing a career path, review whether it met your expectations. If not, identify what could have been done differently.
Imagine being the person others turn to for clear, confident decisions. Picture yourself confidently navigating job offers, promotions, or project choices without hesitation or regret. Building decision-making habits not only simplifies your life but also sets you apart as a professional who gets things done and inspires trust.
Source. X
Final Thoughts
Decision-making isn’t just about what you say “yes” to — it’s also about what you say “no” to. By asking the right questions, staying focused on your goals, and consistently making intentional choices, you can build a career that reflects your aspirations, not your circumstances.
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