I have spent an embarrassing amount of time toiling over the customization of client gifts. Not what to do with my portfolio. Not finalizing quarterly goals and project plans. Not doing new business outreach. Not following up on client tasks.
Nope. Instead, I’ve been pondering: “What size should I get? What color? All caps or sentence-case? Logo? No logo? Too big? Definitely too small. Phooey. Now they’re out of stock.” 🤦🏻♀️
Lather, rinse and repeat the whole scenario. Two more times. You’d think I was leading a big corporate merger the way I was obsessing over these decisions.
I would love to tell you I’m exaggerating. I’m not (just ask Katelyn!)
In very academic leadership parlance, this is what we call an “Utter waste of f*****g time.”
I suspect I’m not alone in this. Leaders unintentionally and regularly kill productivity for themselves and others when they overthink, revisit, or delay decisions that don’t warrant it.*
Now, you may be thinking, “She is stating the obvious (again).” And I am. So, while I’m at it, let me spell it out further for you:
- Deciding (and re-deciding) is exhausting. Every time you revisit the same decision, you drain energy (yours and others) that could be spent on actual leadership. You may think I’m exaggerating, but even a doctor will tell you it’s exhausting!
- Not making a choice is a choice. No decision is still a decision. And it’s inefficient. Kicking the can down the road doesn’t make the decision go away, it just delays it. And often, it holds up other decisions in the process or takes your focus off more pressing matters.
- Indecision diminishes your leadership brand. When you overthink every small detail, people may question how you’re spending your time or your ability to make decisions on the issues that really matter. You also mess with others’ productivity (see above).
- Wait too long, and you miss opportunities. My size/color example above is a low-stakes issue, but it makes the point. Debate with yourself for too long, and the window of opportunity may close.
- Some decisions aren’t yours to make. Coaching clients regularly struggle with delegating (and asking for help – more on that here.) Yet doing so flies in the face of what most leaders are trying to accomplish. It robs others of the opportunity to learn, take ownership, or feel pride in their work. → motivation buster!
How to Fix It
Overthinking is a habit. And habits can be broken. While different situations may call for different measures, here are a few strategies to consider:
- Put a Sticky note on your monitor to remind you to LET-IT-GO (a very high-tech solution!)
- Give yourself an allotted amount of time to make the decision. Then make it.
- Connect with colleagues who make faster decisions and ask for their support.
- Consider whether the decision is actually yours to make – does the task fall into your job description or someone else’s? If someone else’s – delegate.
- Think through worse-case scenarios – go with your best option.
- Use AI as a thought partner.
- Find a decision-making model to support you. And if it’s not a life-or-death situation, go with your gut.
No one is paying me (or you) to stress over the size and color of gifts. You’re paid to make decisions that matter. Wasting your time on tasks that aren’t mission critical not only kills your productivity, it erodes your effectiveness, your brand, and your personal motivation. All in one fell swoop!
So next time you find yourself debating the perfect shade of blue, ask yourself: “Is this the best use of my time?” If not, delegate** or delete. Your future self (and your team) will thank you.
*For you fellow introverts out there, I, too, like to process information. My thinking often evolves when I’ve given myself time to reflect. This is not the same as overthinking. Do yourself a favor and discern where that line is for you.
**The article is targeted to first-time managers – and yet – there is something we could all take away from it!
