Why You’re Struggling to Make Business Decisions

If you are struggling to make business decisions,  fear not it happens to the best of us. We have all been there, and we will most likely be there again. Although knowing that might not bring much comfort if you are stuck in indecision mode.

So, why do we find it hard to make decisions, and what can we do about it?

First, let’s be clear about one thing: not making a decision is a decision, and the same applies to not acting on one.

The Real Cost of Staying Stuck

Maybe you can’t decide whether an investment in your business or yourself is worth making — a new website, a coach, a piece of software. Perhaps it’s whether to take on a new client, launch a new offer, or increase your prices.

When you go around in circles, you use up enormous energy, fill your headspace, and prevent anything else from getting your attention. Progress stalls. Growth slows. You end up paddling just to stay still.

And it doesn’t stop there. Indecision creates more work — more research, another conversation, more recommendations, and then even more conversations. Before long, you’re busier than ever, which makes even the simplest decisions feel harder. You may miss opportunities, fall behind on projects, or find yourself taking your eye off the ball in other areas of your business entirely.

I’ve experienced this firsthand. Delay a decision or fail to act on one, and progress stalls while excuses pile up.

There’s an emotional cost, too. Prolonged indecision can leave you feeling overwhelmed, eroding your confidence and trust in yourself until everything feels harder than it should. I’ve seen how quickly that downward spiral can lead to shutting down projects, withdrawing from building the business, and retreating to a place of safety — which, if we’re honest, rarely feels that safe at all.

Why You’re Struggling to Make Business Decisions

Decisions can be challenging for all kinds of reasons.

• It’s something new to you, joining a networking group, hiring your first member of staff, or putting your prices up for the first time.
• Because you’re still building your confidence as a business owner and haven’t yet learned to fully trust yourself.

Other times, you’ve sought so many opinions from so many people that you no longer know which way is up or who to listen to. 🤦🏼‍♀️

And then there’s fear.

Fear that it might not work,  that it might. Fear of what others will think or say, or what impact a decision could have on your business or reputation.

I’ll share a personal example. I took far too long to close my Facebook Group. It was eating up my time, no longer aligned with where I was heading, and keeping me frustrated. The main reason I didn’t close it? Fear of what people would say, and a nagging worry that my business might somehow fall apart overnight without it. Eventually, I gave myself a stern talking to — reminded myself that nobody would really care, and that I hadn’t gained a client from the group in years. So I closed it. I felt instant relief. And absolutely nothing changed.

Sometimes we already know the answer. We’re just waiting for permission to act on it.

How to Make Decisions With Greater Ease

Decisions are easier to make when you have clarity on where your business is actually going. When your direction is unclear, every decision feels bigger and more loaded than it needs to be. If that resonates, it might be worth stepping back first and getting clear on your focus and priorities. (This is exactly what my SuperCharge Your Focus workbook is designed to help you do — you can grab it here.)

Decisions also become easier when you have a trusted person to talk them through with. Someone independent, who can help you see things from all angles and support you to decide with confidence — and then act on it. This is exactly where a good business coach comes in.

If you don’t have a coach, is there someone in your industry or business network who can offer a safe, confidential sounding board? Someone in your networking group you genuinely trust? Those words — trust and safe — matter more than people realise.

It would be remiss of me not to mention AI. A conversation with ChatGPT or Claude can be surprisingly useful for talking through a decision when you need a sounding board at 10 pm. Providing you act on the outcome, at least you’ve made a decision and can move forward.

And sometimes, the best thing you can do is put the decision down entirely and step away. Walk away, do something mundane, and more often than not, the answer will appear. In my experience, when that happens, you don’t just know what to do — you’re ready to act immediately.

A Decision Is Always a First Step

Since I don’t believe in failures, only incredible learnings, you can’t really get a decision wrong.

Making a decision starts you on a journey and opens a door. And if you need to change course further down the line? That’s a decision too, and it’s absolutely fine, because you started moving.

If you’re ready to take that first step and would love the support of a business coach, make the decision to book a Next Steps Call with me. If we’re a perfect fit, brilliant — there will be a way for me to support you and your business. And if we’re not, you’ll leave clearer, more confident, and ready to find exactly the right person for you.

If you’re struggling to make business decisions and are ready to take that first step, book your Next Steps Call here.