I’ve been reading Time Anxiety by Chris Guillebeau, and something he said really struck a chord with me: “Make a decision quickly and move on.” While this might not apply to the really big decisions, we do make countless choices every day, and it’s easy to get stuck. My perfectionism often kicks in, making me want to choose the absolute best option. This means I need to know all the options, sit with each one, and figure out the best path forward, all while worrying that a better option might come along. No pressure, right? So, yeah, sometimes it takes a while… anyone else feel the same?

Gary Vaynerchuk once said, “There is no wrong choice. You can’t know the path you would be on if you’d chosen differently. Even if you changed your choice and chose again, the path would be different. So, make a choice and walk the path.” This advice has helped me stop delaying decisions and just move forward. Avoiding a decision can make things worse and drain your mental energy, momentum, and trust. Often, we know what needs to be done, but we don’t want to be the one to call it. Remember, not deciding is still a decision, but it means you no longer have control over the outcome.

Why am I sharing all this? Often, when an organisation loses a significant donor or income dries up, they need to make some tough decisions about staffing, programs, and “the way things have always been.” True leadership means stepping up, not dithering or being uncertain, but confidently deciding and leading the way. Leadership is also about timing. Sometimes, you can delay making a decision so long that all the options disappear, and the decision is made for you.

A wonderful example of responsible decision-making and strategic leadership is the closure of Shine Literacy. This organisation realised that times had changed, and the most effective way to fulfil its mission was to close its doors. They took more than a year to “sunset” in collaboration with partners and donors, ensuring their legacy lived on. They documented the process, which is available, along with their full story, on their website: www.shineliteracy.org.za

What decision are you putting off making? What’s stopping you? Just do it!