Simplify, Decide, Act: Streamlining Complex Decision-Making
The car broke down.
My employees or clients are planning to revolt.
And my dog just died!
For some of us, it feels like life is throwing punches left and right! No wonder why you feel exhausted and burnout at times!
As a healing and leadership coach, I know things can get tough and overwhelming sometimes. But before you do anything drastic, check out this article. We’ll discuss how trauma can affect your brain and how you can make better decisions in your personal and professional life. First, let’s talk about how we unseeingly can make stuff harder on ourselves.
Why Do We Overcomplicate Things?
Wired for Drama
Let’s face it—many of us are wired for drama. I’ve spent years battling my mental health, and honestly, growing up in a chaotic family didn’t help. My brain got so used to conflict, stress, and overthinking that it became my default mode. It’s a tough consequence of dealing with trauma.
If you’re feeling mentally drained or overwhelmed, trust me, you’re not alone. I used to keep my anxiety and loneliness locked up inside because I didn’t want to “bother” anyone. But if you’ve had a rough past, it’s easy to become extra sensitive to everyday things, making them seem harder than they are.
So, you might be wondering, “How do I know if I’m making things worse for myself?” Good question! Let me walk you through some signs that show you might be steering your ship straight toward Crazy Town.
The Science Behind Drama
Interestingly, our brains can actually be wired to seek out complexity and stress, especially if that’s what we’ve been used to. Neuroscientists have found that trauma and prolonged stress can rewire the brain, making us more likely to respond to everyday problems with anxiety or overthinking.
Dr. Bruce Perry, a leading trauma expert, has said, “When children grow up in chaotic or abusive environments, their stress response systems become overactive and more sensitive.” So if you feel like you’re constantly bracing for the next problem, there’s a good reason for that.
Why Do We Do This?
Familiarity: Chaos can feel oddly comfortable if it’s all we’ve known. If you’ve spent a lot of time in high-stress situations, your brain starts to expect them. So when life is calm, you may unknowingly create complications because it feels “normal.”
Fear of Simplicity: Simplifying things might feel like you’re losing control. It’s easier to fall back into habits of micromanaging or overthinking because it gives you a false sense of being in control.
Perfectionism: You may also find yourself wanting everything to be perfect, which adds extra layers of stress. If you’re constantly aiming for 100%, you’ll always feel like you’re falling short, adding unnecessary pressure.
So How Do You Know If You’re Overcomplicating?
When you find yourself stressed out, ask yourself, “Am I making this harder than it needs to be?” The answer is probably yes. Here are some signs:
- You can’t make decisions quickly: You spend hours agonizing over small details.
- You avoid tasks because they seem too overwhelming: Everything feels like a huge deal, so you just put it off.
- You second-guess yourself constantly: Even after making a decision, you’re filled with doubt and worry.
“Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax.” — Mark Black
That quote rings true. When we simplify, we’re actually more productive. Trying to control everything or predict every outcome just burns us out. When we let go of the drama, we give ourselves space to breathe, think clearly, and make better decisions. In business, this means more focus, fewer distractions, and better outcomes.
In the next section, let’s talk about what drama and anxiety look like at work and at home.
When you make things hard because complications and confusion are familiar to you, not only does it cost you time and money, but it also hurts your ability to think clearly.
6 Signs You Might Be Hurting Yourself as a Business Owner
Putting off work: Procrastinating on important tasks like taxes, client follow-ups, or even restocking inventory only leads to unnecessary stress. You’re not just stressing yourself out—you’re also losing opportunities and, potentially, business.
Not communicating well: Vague or unclear communication with employees, clients, or suppliers creates confusion. Missed deadlines and misunderstandings often lead to lost clients or frustrated employees. And then you’re stuck doing damage control instead of focusing on growth.
Doing too much: Business owners love wearing multiple hats. But trying to do everything—marketing, customer service, operations, etc.—means nothing gets done well. Burnout becomes your constant companion, and your big dreams take a back seat.
Being too controlling: Micromanaging every tiny detail? Not a good look. When you don’t trust your team to handle things, you crush their creativity and morale. They end up feeling stifled, and you end up exhausted. It’s a lose-lose.
Ignoring feedback: Whether it’s from clients, employees, or mentors, blowing off feedback can stunt your growth. If multiple clients complain about something and you don’t listen, you could damage your reputation. And who wants that?
Neglecting your health: Ah yes, the “hustle” mindset. Pushing yourself too hard with little sleep, poor diet, and no downtime might seem noble, but it’s a fast track to burnout. Soon enough, your mental clarity goes out the window, and you’re making poor decisions while running on fumes.
Bringing That Drama Home
As if things aren’t tough enough at work, sometimes we drag that stress home. When you’re tired and overworked, you might snap at your spouse, ignore your friends, or even stress out your dog. (Fido didn’t sign up for this, by the way.) Can you relate to any of these? Here are some ways we make things worse in our personal lives:
- Obsessing over past mistakes: Dwelling on what went wrong only keeps you stuck in a cycle of regret. It’s like rewinding a bad movie and wondering why it still sucks.
- Ignoring problems: Sweeping personal issues or arguments under the rug doesn’t solve anything. In fact, it just builds unspoken tension that eventually erupts—like an emotional volcano.
- Being mean to yourself: We’re often our own worst critics. That inner voice that says, “You’re not good enough”? Yeah, it’s lying. Constant self-criticism drags you down and affects your happiness.
- Spending too much time alone: Being alone can give you too much time to overthink and imagine worst-case scenarios. And let’s be honest, most of those imagined problems aren’t even real.
- Holding onto grudges: Holding onto anger against someone else doesn’t punish them—it only keeps you trapped in bitterness. Letting go of the grudge frees up emotional space for better things.
- Letting people take advantage of you: If you’re always saying “yes” to others at the cost of your own well-being, you end up feeling used and drained. It’s time to set some boundaries and protect your energy.
How to Improve Your Decision-Making Skills at Work and in Life
When navigating life’s twists and turns, having a simple rule can be a game-changer. It’s like having a compass that points you in the right direction, making decisions smoother at work and in your personal life.
Here’s the rule: “Focus on what’s important, not the small stuff.” This means directing your energy toward what truly matters.
Let’s break down how this rule can be beneficial both in your professional and personal life:
At Work: Think Big Picture
- Instead of getting bogged down by minor details, concentrate on tasks that have a significant impact.
- During meetings, discuss matters that benefit the company or clients the most.
- Assign tasks to individuals who excel at them and can contribute to the project’s success.
- Stop worrying about things you cannot control and instead trust yourself and your plan.
- Measure success based on outcomes, not the time it takes to complete tasks.
Outside of Work: Prioritize Personal Growth
- Opt for growth over staying in your comfort zone. Even if it feels daunting, pursue opportunities that foster personal development.
- Dedicate time to hobbies or learning new skills that push your emotional and spiritual boundaries.
- Put your business in proper perspective by creating a healthier work-life balance.
- Make decisions that align with your long-term objectives, even if they pose immediate challenges.
- Surround yourself with supportive individuals who encourage your growth journey.
So, are you ready to let go of sweating over trivial matters? Doing so can help you tackle life’s obstacles with greater ease. It enables you to stay focused on what truly counts, leading to clearer decision-making. The next time life throws a curveball your way, trust in yourself and stick to your guiding principle.
The image below summarizes the key concepts discussed. Finally, I’ll share some closing thoughts.
Final Thoughts
Sometimes, many of us get used to not thinking much about our choices. And we create the life script of DO NOT THINK. This pattern of thinking might come from spending time with people who struggle to make decisions or who act without thinking things through, like family, friends, or close pals. Just because they do it doesn’t mean it’s good for you. That’s why you’re going to choose a different path and heal from past trauma. You’ll focus on keeping things simple and easy in all the decisions you make. That’s the key to living a purposeful life.
If life’s challenges are overwhelming you and you need some help simplifying things, think about working with me as your life coach. Together, we’ll tackle the ups and downs, making your choices clearer and bringing more happiness to both your personal and work life.
And don’t forget to check out this episode of my entrepreneur podcast where I talk more about making quick decision, yet thoughtful decisions.
