Starting a business is exciting and ambiguous – and that’s the fun. It’s a time of possibility, experimentation, imagination, and showing the world what you can do. But, it can also feel slow, frustrating, and full of traps and distractions, leaving potential entrepreneurs to question their self-worth and to wonder why they started in the first place. As a small business coach, I’ll help you cultivate an entrepreneur’s mindset, so you can start and grow your businesses with confidence and step boldly into the role of business owner. Subscribe to get access to weekly tips, small business interviews, and more.
🚀 2 Tips for Better Decisions
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35,000 – that’s how many decisions the average adult supposedly makes each day. Some of those decisions are small: What should I have for lunch today? Some decisions have longer-lasting effects: How should I prioritize my limited resources? While others shape the course of your life: Should I say yes to this opportunity? It’s my birthday week – one more trip around the sun (and another +12 million decisions) behind me. I’ve been looking back on the big decisions and experiences that shaped my year. But, being me, this led to a fascinating rabbit hole studying decision making. Here are two key takeaways: #1. You need a set of inputs that help you see things from multiple angles.Interestingly, research from McKinsey & Company shows senior leaders spend roughly 40% of their time on decision-making — and those same leaders report that much of that time is viewed as ineffective. So, how do you get to a quality, confident decision, faster? One answer: better inputs that help you see a problem from multiple angles. You need context:
You need perspective:
You need a compass:
You need to pressure test:
You won't have all the info for every decision, but do you have what you need to make a good enough decision? #2. The right amount of stress/pressure can improve performance and decision-making.Research shows that performance increases with stress/pressure up to an optimal point, after which additional stress/pressure causes performance to decline. This is referred to as the Yerkes–Dodson Law:
It’s a sort of goldilocks zone: not too hot, not too cold, just right. In a big organization, consequential decisions get pushed up the chain of command. In your life, you have no hierarchy to defer to – those big decisions land on your shoulders, which can certainly be stressful. And in ambiguity, stress/pressure are magnified, making decision fatigue all the more likely. All this is to say: if you’re stressed out and feeling the pressure, recognize that you might not be in the best headspace to make big, consequential decisions. So in addition to all of the inputs above (data, context, perspective, a compass)... You also need to check in with yourself:
📫 If this sparked an idea, or if you’re feeling stuck, I’d love to hear from you. You can reply directly to this email to share what you’re working on, ask a question, or suggest topics you’d like me to cover in future newsletters. I read every response. Until next time, Michael
Michael Schefman | 321 Liftoff Copyright © 2026 by 321 Liftoff LLC |
Michel Schefman, 321 Liftoff
Starting a business is exciting and ambiguous – and that’s the fun. It’s a time of possibility, experimentation, imagination, and showing the world what you can do. But, it can also feel slow, frustrating, and full of traps and distractions, leaving potential entrepreneurs to question their self-worth and to wonder why they started in the first place. As a small business coach, I’ll help you cultivate an entrepreneur’s mindset, so you can start and grow your businesses with confidence and step boldly into the role of business owner. Subscribe to get access to weekly tips, small business interviews, and more.
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