A Process for Making Big Decisions            

Sometimes you find yourself working on a problem and it’s all you can think about. Maybe it’s a big business decision. A tough client. Or it’s a personal matter, one that could have a significant impact on your family. Like taking on debt to build a home for yourself. Or entering into a new partnership. Or a strategic decision that involves others in your business. Or it could even be a major life transition. 

The front of your brain is filled up. You’re spinning, thoughts just going round and round in your head. There’re way too many factors to get your arms around.

Here’s a tip that was given to me years ago that I’ve used time and time again to take hold of these situations.

Get a set of those flip chart sized sticky Post It Notes, an easel and a bunch of flip chart markers. If you don’t have a set, spend the money! After all, this is a big decision and deserves the right investment of time and energy. You'll find having the easel makes it easier to write on the flip chart and makes you think bigger.

So then set up your chart in a comfortable room and start writing. Write down everything that comes to mind as quickly as possible. Don’t worry about organizing your thoughts right now. Just get it all out on the flip chart pages. 

When you fill up a page, tear it off and post it on the wall. Start another one. Some of these mind filling issues will only require a few pages. Others will require multiple pages. You may find that you cover the walls of your office with your flip chart pages.

When you can’t think of anything else, go take a walk around the block, then come back and write some more. Then do it again.

Write about what you know. More importantly, write about what you don’t know. Write about “what if’s…” and “if this happens, then what…” 

Now you can stand back and see all the issues around the big issue. You might start organizing them. You might distill the info down. You might bring in family members or trusted advisors to look at your issue sheets and ask them for their opinions. What do they see that you don’t see? What are their concerns? What are possible positive outcomes?

The problem is now tangible. It’s on paper. You can see it and talk about it. It’s manageable. Most importantly, your mind is cleared.

Then sleep on it, at least for a day, maybe for a few. You’ve examined it from all sides. It’s no longer filling up the front of your head. You’re ready to move ahead, one way or another. A clear path of action is emerging. What was a hard decision is now a clear decision, whether it’s a “no go” or a “go for it!”

My sister, a prosecutor of war criminals, uses the same technique to frame her closing arguments. As the case is in trial, her team puts these flip charts up on their HQ walls. In the courtroom, as they notice key comments and points that resonate, they come back and write them down on the flip charts. From these random comments, their closing arguments are formed.

Try it. It works!