Indecisiveness is a killer. It can bring even the most promising projects, relationships, and ventures to a screeching halt. So, we asked some of the brightest minds out there how they developed their decision making skills. We hope their personal stories and practical advice can help you on your journey.
Michael Odermatt
Music has been a constant companion since childhood, helping me navigate emotions, feelings, and expressions. As a pianist, the piano feels like an extension of my being. As a piano medium, I harness its depth to translate the unseen and explore the unexplored. The piano became my chosen path, and sharing the profound positive impact of music on me became my life’s mission. Read more>>
Lena J
Sometime I wish that the footsteps of my ancestors were engraved in the ground to light the path I walk on. In this way, the world wouldn’t feel so heavy, instead it would be deep. Deep enough to ground me in the moments that feel like a hail storm. Instead, I and countless others go searching for answers. In the absence of their guidance, we’re left to stumble, fall, twist and turn until we arrive on land that, to us, feels like higher ground. This is what it feels like to overcome anything in life but specifically, decision making. Read more>>
Iga Xiaoyi Zhou
Go with your gut—just like that. As a film director, decision-making is a constant and fast-paced process, especially on production days. Every department looks to you for answers, and sometimes you genuinely don’t know the ‘right’ answer. But in this role, you have to know—or at least appear to know. That’s where preparation comes in.
For me, preparation is crucial. I develop a clear vision for the film and make deep, personal connections with the story and the characters. When I’ve done the groundwork, I can trust my artistic instincts to guide me. While having many options can make it harder to choose, intuition often cuts through the noise. Our intuition is a reflection of our authentic style, shaped by our past experiences. Read more>>
Zach Whelchel
I’m really bad at making decisions. The more important the decision the more I tend to lock up. My default mindset is to want to optimize things. Maybe it was too many boardgames as a child growing up. Maybe it was too much Sid Meier’s Civilization. I always want to make the most of the options before me.
What I’ve learned to do over time… especially when creating software, is not to hold decisions too closely. I follow a “intuition and data loop” model now. Make changes quickly and let the data tell you the right answer. Don’t have any data? Then follow your intuition. But be sure to put the tools in place to capture data. Read more>>
