Are you deciding or are you choosing? Why knowing the difference matters.

The Power of Decision: Why Strategic Commitment Outweighs Simple Choice on the Path to Success

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Early in my life—age six, to be exact—I believe I made a deep, subconscious decision to become an entrepreneur. I didn’t even know what it would entail, but I loved creating things for the sheer joy of it. My fascination with building, with creating something out of nothing, was there, even then. But as much as I decided to become an entrepreneur, I'm not sure I ever decided to be rich. Correction: I didn’t yet have the awareness that becoming wealthy was even something I could decide.

I remember one day, in the midst of a particularly challenging week (a special side effect of entrepreneurship), I vented to my mentor. Frustrated, I asked why success seemed elusive despite doing what I thought were the “right things.” Surely, I wasn’t a foolish person, so why did real financial success feel just out of reach? Calmly, without hesitation, my mentor responded, “Because you haven’t decided to be rich.”

At the time, I brushed it off. Money felt like something that would come with time and hard work, right? But as years passed, I realised there was more to it—a strategy (I am a strategist by occupation) I hadn’t yet owned.

Have you ever heard that saying, “You’re not where you want to be because you haven’t decided to be there?” Early in my career, this idea didn't feel concrete to me. I was putting in the hours, doing the work—wasn’t that enough? But now it's hitting me: there’s a difference between a choice and a decision, a difference that completely transforms how we go about achieving success. And, as I later understood, success isn’t about doing more; it’s about committing fully to a path with clarity, focus, and unshakable intent.

The Difference Between Choice and Decision: Why It Matters

Most people think of a decision as just a stronger version of a choice, decisions are based on facts rather than beliefs and values. And yet a decision can be part of a choice. but they’re not the same. Choices connect us to our intentions, values, and beliefs. We choose what aligns with our desires, what feels right to us. Decisions, though, aren’t about intention—they’re about action and commitment. A real decision is about cutting off every other option and saying, “This is the way forward.” It’s about commitment to behaviour, performance, and consequences. Decision comes from the Latin verb decidere meaning "to cut away, to cut off" which comprises the preposition de meaning "away, off, down from" and the verb caedo, caedere meaning "to cut, kill.

Successful people are quick to make decisions and slow to change them. When they decide, they’re prepared to weather whatever disruption follows because they understand that commitment means aligning behavior with outcomes. Unsuccessful people, on the other hand, are often slow to decide, letting choices hang in the air without grounding them in committed action. They flip-flop when things get challenging, constantly questioning their path instead of seeing it through.

Why Disruption Follows Decisions

The moment you decide—truly decide—to commit to something, expect disruption. The difference between dabbling in a choice and taking action on a decision lies in this disruption. Let’s say you’ve decided to launch a business, get fit, or build a certain skill. As soon as you make that decision, things start to shift, sometimes in uncomfortable ways. Why? Because deciding creates change.

With any major decision, you’re also disrupting the routines, comfort zones, and patterns that kept you where you were. People around you might not understand. Resources might suddenly feel scarce. The road gets tougher because you’re moving away from what’s familiar into what’s necessary. And that’s the point. Every disruption that follows is a signal that you’re on a new path, one that requires courage, persistence, and the willingness to stand firm, even when things feel shaky.

Aligning Decisions with Strategy

Here’s the strategic part: making a decision isn’t just about setting a goal or feeling motivated; it’s about creating a strategy to get there and then committing to it fully. For instance, if I decide to grow my business, I’m not just choosing an inspiring goal; I’m committing to a strategy that aligns with it. I’m taking measurable steps, revising my actions, and holding myself accountable.

Too often, people make a choice to pursue a dream, but they don’t back it up with a strategy. So they quickly abandon it, thinking the dream wasn’t realistic. But the truth is, they never fully committed to it in the first place. So - they made a choice, NOT a decision.

Behaviours Follow Decisions, Not Choices

Another thing I’ve learned along the way is that your behavior won’t change until you make a decision. Choices might nudge you toward better habits, but only a decision will drive the consistency required for real change. When you choose, you might act in line with that choice for a little while. But when you decide, your behavior changes to support that commitment, no matter what. It’s a “no turning back” mentality. When a decision truly aligns with what you want, you’re willing to go through the obstacles because you’ve already accepted the consequences and disruptions that come with it.

Taking Control of Your Path

Most of us are comfortable making choices because they keep us in a safe space—aligned with our values but without the stakes. But it’s decisions that take us forward. Successful people don’t avoid decisions; they embrace them and make them quickly. They understand that changing direction every time they meet resistance is a recipe for staying exactly where they are.

If you’re facing a choice today, try reframing it as a decision. Instead of “I’ll try this” or “Maybe I’ll do that,” say, “This is the path, and I’m committed.” Take action that aligns with that decision, and don’t waver when disruption follows—it means you’re on your way to something new.

Final Thoughts: Living in the Power of Decision

There’s a peace in knowing you’ve decided, and not just chosen, to move forward with intent. Life’s challenges don’t disappear, but they become clearer, and your purpose more defined. I learned the hard way that real growth doesn’t happen in the comfort zone of choices; it happens when you’ve made a decision and are willing to navigate the disruptions that come with it.

If you’re ready for real change, start making decisions and then commit to the strategies that align with them. Embrace the disruption as a sign you’re moving forward, and watch as your actions align with outcomes you might not have believed possible.

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So, on that note - I decided to commit to sharing tips, tools and strategic concepts once a month in my newsletter - so why not choose to subscribe? https://bit.ly/Seanice