Decision-making is a critical skill. Yet, many find themselves paralysed by overthinking (me included), fearing the possibility of making the “wrong” choice.
What if ... the key to effective decision-making isn’t about always getting it right but about taking action and trusting the process?
That's a scary uncomfortable place to be.
I'm a fan of how small, intentional daily practices can keep you grounded and centered, enabling you to take decisive action even amidst uncertainty.
These practices are not just ancient wisdom, but scientific insights, strategies used by high-profile achievers, when really, we all have access.
I've been on my own journey with holistic mental health practices and studies of ancient rituals for over 30 years. Having suffered chronic physical and mental health conditions since the age of 16, I took to daily practices that eased the mind and allowed my true spirit to emerge. In turn I learned to take care of my body and build conscious levels of awareness that has been a daily journey of self discovery.
A new level of Trust.
The Decision-Making Dilemma:
Overthinking vs. Action
Many people fall into the trap of overanalysing decisions. I used to be a massive over thinker, frozen to the spot with my mind running wild. What-iffing and convinced that one wrong move could derail any progress. While caution is natural, excessive hesitation leads to analysis paralysis, where fear replaces clarity.
I believe (and my grandmother said it , so it must br true) most decisions aren’t inherently “right” or “wrong.” They are steps forward.
"You cannot connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward. So, you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future." - Steve Jobs
The key is to take action. When you move, the path reveals itself. Standing still only keeps you stuck in a loop of uncertainty.
The Science Behind Taking Action
Research confirms that action itself is a powerful antidote to overthinking:
The Confidence-Competence Loop
Studies show that taking action builds confidence, and confidence boosts competence. A 2017 study published in the Journal of Behavioral Decision Making found that even small, intentional steps reduce decision-related anxiety. This creates a positive feedback loop where action reinforces your belief in your ability to make decisions.
Decision Fatigue and Simplification
Renowned psychologist Dr. Roy Baumeister’s research on decision fatigue highlights how the brain becomes less effective when bombarded with too many choices. By simplifying your decisions—through habits, rituals, and predefined frameworks—you reduce mental clutter and free up energy for critical decisions.
Neuroplasticity and Adaptability
Neuroscience tells us that the brain rewires itself in response to action. When you take steps—even if they don’t lead directly to success—you strengthen neural pathways that make future decision-making easier and more intuitive.
5 Daily Practices to Stay on track and
Take Confident Action
To overcome the overwhelm, we all have the ability to turn to daily rituals that cultivate clarity, focus, and resilience. These are just a few examples of daily habits and practices that not only center your mind, but also allows space for the self-trust necessary for effective decision-making.
1. Morning Rituals for Mental Clarity
Starting your day with intention sets the tone for productivity, confidence and decisiveness.
We have all heard it - but do you actually commit, and do it. Non negotiable, every day?
Taking some time to check in with yourself, and getting present with yourself first, shapes how you show up in the day. Start distracted - end the same way. Combining it with a healthy practice opens our levels of awareness and consciousness.
Meditation (5-10 minutes): Focus on your breath, and bring it in deeper!
Mantra's help focus the mind, even something simple like “I trust the process.”
Gratitude Practice: Write down three things you’re grateful for to shift your mindset to positivity. Gratitude is HUGE.
Daily Goal Setting: Identify the one decision or action that will move you closer to your goals.
2. Grounding Through Movement
Physical movement reduces stress and boosts clarity. Richard Branson credits his daily exercise routine—whether it’s kite surfing or cycling—with keeping him sharp and energised.
Try this:
Engage in movement - yoga, a walk in nature, or a 20-minute workout to center your mind and body. Coming INTO the body is where it's at.
Pair movement with mindfulness by focusing on the sensation of your body moving, which grounds you in the present.
3. Decision-Making/Focus Journals
Journaling can help untangle the web of thoughts that lead to overthinking. Research by Dr. James Pennebaker, a leading psychologist, shows that expressive writing reduces mental clutter and anxiety.
Try this:
Start a decision journal. Write down a current choice you’re grappling with, your options, and the potential outcomes. Reflect on why you’re stuck and commit to a small next step.
Record the outcomes of past decisions to remind yourself of your growth and adaptability.
4. Visualisation and Affirmations
Visualization is a powerful tool used by elite performers. Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian, credits his success to daily mental rehearsals of his races. Visualising a positive outcome boosts confidence and primes the brain for success.
Try this:
Close your eyes and visualise the decision you’re facing. Imagine yourself taking action with ease and witnessing a favorable outcome.
Use affirmations like, “I trust myself to make the right choices,” and believe.. we can rewire negative thought patterns.
5. The Power of Reflection
End your day with a wind down - less external stimulation. Close the day in reflection to reinforce learning and self-awareness. Leaders use journaling or quiet time to review decisions and outcomes, asking what worked, what didn’t, and what can be improved.
Try this:
Spend 5 minutes writing about your day: What actions did you take? What did you learn?
Where did my time and energy go? How did I feel? How do I want to feel?
Use this time to celebrate small wins, which strengthens your motivation.
Action-Oriented Mindsets of High Achievers
Success stories from the business world highlight the importance of taking action:
Jeff Bezos: The Amazon founder uses the "70% Rule." He believes waiting for 100% certainty leads to missed opportunities. “If you’re 70% sure, take the risk,” Bezos advises. His bias toward action propelled Amazon from a startup to a global powerhouse.
Sara Blakely: The founder of Spanx embraces failure as part of decision-making. She reflects on how her father would ask at dinner, “What did you fail at today?” This reframed failure as a stepping stone to success, encouraging her to take risks without fear.
Overcoming the Fear of Wrong Decisions
Fear of failure often underpins indecision - as does fear of success. However, embracing failure as a teacher can transform your perspective.
Every choice you make provides feedback. If it works, great. If it doesn’t, you’ve gained valuable insight. As Thomas Edison famously said when inventing the lightbulb:
"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won’t work."
From Overthinking to Taking the Next Step
Here’s a few suggestions on how to shift your focus from overthinking to action:
Break It Down, Simplify: Divide big decisions into smaller, actionable steps. Focus on one step at a time.
Set a Deadline: Give yourself a specific timeframe to decide. This prevents endless deliberation.
Trust Your Gut: Intuition often provides guidance that logic can’t. Learn to listen to it. ACT when it feels good & fizzy.
Seek Feedback: Bounce your ideas off trusted mentors or peers for perspective.
Take Imperfect Action: Start before you feel ready. You can always course-correct later - as with any journey.
Trust the Process, Trust Yourself.
The art of decision-making lies not in perfection but in progress.
By grounding yourself with daily rituals, cultivating a mindset of action, and embracing uncertainty as part of the journey, you unlock your full potential.
Every successful person started somewhere—often unsure, often scared (we are all human), but always moving forward.
Trust that each decision is guiding you closer to where you’re meant to be.
What small action can you take today to move closer to your goals?
I coach - ways of easing into flow & forward motion. clarebelmont.net
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