Quit Overthinking, Start Overdoing: Time to Turn Thoughts into Power Moves!

"Action is the foundational principle to all success" - Pablo Picasso.

In a world filled with endless choices and overwhelming amounts of information, mastering the art of decisiveness is one of the most valuable skills you can develop. Some people make decisions quickly, move forward, and learn from their actions—while others remain stuck in a cycle of overthinking, letting opportunities slip away. The difference? Decisiveness. And it’s not something you’re born with; it’s a skill that can be developed.

Why It Matters

Being decisive doesn’t just mean making decisions faster—it means taking control of your life. The more you delay decisions, the more you invite doubt, fear, and stagnation. When you act decisively, you put yourself on a path of progress. You create momentum and build confidence, knowing that every step you take leads to new learning, opportunities, and growth.

In industries like technology and business, decisiveness is crucial. Whether launching a product, leading a team, or negotiating a deal, time is money. Making decisions quickly and adjusting often leads to far better outcomes than waiting for the elusive “perfect” choice. And in your personal life, decisiveness allows you to avoid getting bogged down in trivial matters, freeing up time and energy for what truly matters.

The Razor-Thin Information-Action Gap

The most successful people don’t just gather information—they act on it immediately. They have what’s called a razor-thin Information-Action Gap: the time between when they receive information and when they act on it is minimal. This quality sets them apart from the majority, who tend to overanalyze, second-guess, and wait for the “right” moment.

Here’s why this gap matters:

? Speed Creates Momentum: Acting quickly creates a sense of accomplishment, giving you confidence to keep moving forward.

? Learning Happens Through Action: No amount of analysis can match the value of real-world feedback. By acting, you learn faster and refine your decisions along the way.

? Opportunities Are Fleeting: In many cases, the opportunity window is small. Those who hesitate risk missing out.

Actions to Master Decisiveness

Becoming more decisive requires cultivating specific habits and mindsets. Here’s how you can start:

1. Adopt a Bias Toward Action

? Action: Train yourself to act first, think second. For example, if you’re considering reaching out to a potential client, do it immediately after getting their contact, rather than overthinking your approach. You can refine your pitch after taking that first step.

? Why: The faster you act, the more opportunities you’ll capture, and the quicker you’ll learn from any missteps.

? Example: Entrepreneurs launching a product often release a minimum viable product (MVP) and improve it based on customer feedback. They don’t wait for a flawless product because they understand that feedback comes only after action.

2. Set Deadlines for Decisions

? Action: For any decision, give yourself a strict deadline—24 hours or one week. For example, if you’re deciding on a new job opportunity, commit to making a decision by a specific date, gathering only the essential information you need within that time frame.

? Why: Deadlines force you to make a move. Without them, decisions often drift into indefinite limbo.

? Example: High-performing executives and leaders often use time constraints to drive decisions. Jeff Bezos has spoken about using the “70% rule”—you should decide when you have about 70% of the information. Waiting for 90% or 100% of the information often means you’re too late.

3. Embrace Imperfection

? Action: Let go of the idea that every decision must be perfect. Instead, focus on making decisions and improving along the way. For example, if you’re debating between two career paths, choose based on the best available data and trust that you’ll adapt if needed.

? Why: The pursuit of perfection often paralyzes decision-making. Decisiveness requires a willingness to learn from mistakes.

? Example: Elite athletes don’t wait for perfect conditions to perform—they act, learn, and adapt in real time. Michael Jordan missed more than 9,000 shots in his career, but his decisiveness on the court made him one of the greatest of all time.

4. Break Decisions into Small Steps

? Action: If a decision feels overwhelming, break it into smaller, manageable parts. Instead of trying to make a monumental career change all at once, decide on one actionable step today, such as updating your LinkedIn profile or reaching out to someone in the industry.

? Why: Small actions lead to big results over time, and breaking decisions down reduces the pressure.

? Example: Founders of successful startups don’t try to build an entire company in one day. They start with small milestones—creating a prototype, getting the first customer, securing initial funding—and build from there.

5. Trust Your Instincts

? Action: Learn to trust your gut. Your initial instinct is often correct, and overthinking can cloud your judgment. For instance, if your intuition tells you to pursue a certain opportunity, act quickly before your logical brain talks you out of it.

? Why: Your subconscious mind processes far more information than your conscious mind, and instincts are often rooted in experience.

? Example: Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin Group, is known for his decisive nature and frequently credits his gut instincts for many of his successful ventures. When he senses an opportunity, he doesn’t hesitate to move.

Examples of Decisiveness in Action

? Sheryl Sandberg (COO of Facebook): When Sandberg was offered her role at Facebook, she didn’t spend weeks weighing the pros and cons. She recognized the company's potential, made a swift decision, and joined a team that revolutionized social media.

? Elon Musk (CEO of Tesla and SpaceX): Musk’s decisiveness is evident in how he runs his businesses. He’s known for making bold decisions, such as rapidly pivoting production processes at Tesla or setting aggressive timelines for SpaceX’s missions. His ability to decide and act quickly has driven much of his success.

? Decisive Team Leaders: In fast-paced industries like semiconductors, leaders who act swiftly on technological trends or market insights outperform those who wait. By rapidly committing to new ideas or strategies, they stay ahead of competitors and drive innovation.

Bottom Line: The Power of Decisiveness

Mastering decisiveness is about more than just making decisions—it’s about swiftly and confidently moving from thought to action. Whether in the boardroom or at a crossroads in your personal life, reducing the time between gathering information and acting on it will set you apart. Start small by making quicker, bolder decisions, and watch your confidence, momentum, and success grow. Are you ready to close the Information-Action Gap? Decide today.

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"Action is the foundational principle to all success" - Pablo Picasso