This is how I approach decision-making in business, sports, and life.

30-years ago, I made a bold decision to drop out of starting a degree and accepted a role with a UK bank. Many people told me I was making a mistake. They said it was crazy, irresponsible, and the wrong move.

I doubted myself. I almost didn’t go ahead with it. But I pushed forward.

That decision led me to secure one of the first places on the bank’s management program—out of thousands of applicants, I was one of 30 selected.

It was the start of what I like to call my “wiggly” career. That one choice opened doors to opportunities I couldn’t have imagined.

❌ Dragging out decisions leads to overthinking.

Even then, you might make the wrong choice, but in the process, you waste time and erode your confidence. That extra time can introduce additional risk that impacts the outcome.

✅ Make a decision quickly and move forward.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

• If you make the right decision, great. If not, learn from it and keep pushing forward.
• Listen to others, stay open-minded, but once a decision is made, act on it.
• Winning isn’t about getting every decision right. If 3 out of 5 decisions work out, you’re ahead.

Momentum matters. By taking action, you move forward, adapt, and capitalize on opportunities while others are still stuck in “what if.”

Decision-making isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress. So make the call, take the leap, and trust that the lessons you gain along the way will guide you.

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An Empowering Approach to Decision-making

I’ve been jotting down some thoughts on an incredibly practical and empowering approach to decision-making. Here’s what I think resonates:

1. Action Over Analysis Paralysis: Many people fall into the trap of overthinking, trying to anticipate every possible outcome before making a decision. This often leads to inertia and lost opportunities. Your “make a decision, move on, and forget about it” philosophy aligns with the idea that imperfect action beats perfect inaction every time.
2. Confidence Through Action: The moment you act on a decision, you move from uncertainty to momentum. By taking the bank role despite doubts is an example of trusting one’s instincts and allowing results to validate your choice rather than seeking external approval first.
3. Learning Mindset: A willingness to accept that some decisions will be wrong is a hallmark of resilience. The idea of aiming for “3 out of 5 right” is liberating because it shifts the focus from perfection to progress. Failure becomes a stepping stone, not a stumbling block.
4. Avoiding Cognitive Drain: Prolonged deliberation isn’t just time-consuming; it’s exhausting and erodes self-confidence. Quick decisions free up mental bandwidth for execution, which is where success is ultimately forged.
5. Momentum is Key: By continuously moving forward, you maintain energy, adapt quickly, and capitalize on opportunities others might miss because they’re stuck in the decision-making phase. I feel my career trajectory is proof of this mindset in action.
6. Balanced Listening and Acting: Emphasis on listening to others and keeping an open mind, but not letting external noise paralyze you, this strikes a healthy balance between collaboration and decisiveness.

This approach is not only effective in business and personal life but also reflects an entrepreneurial mindset. In dynamic environments—whether it’s a career shift, sports strategy, or personal growth—speed and adaptability often trump meticulous but slow deliberation.

It’s also a principle echoed in agile practices: fail fast, learn faster, and keep moving forward. I try embodying that with a grounded and human twist. Keep owning my wiggly career path—it’s clearly worked – albiet with many lessons!

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What’s a decision you’re glad you made quickly? I’d love to hear your story.