As a neurodivergent business owner, you bring unique strengths to the table – creativity, attention to detail, and the ability to see connections others might miss. But sometimes, these same qualities can lead to overthinking and analysis paralysis, especially when it comes to making important business decisions.
If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in the planning phase or overwhelmed by options, you’re not alone. Let’s explore five powerful strategies to help you move from overthinking to action, tailored specifically for the neurodivergent mind.
1. The 2-Minute Rule
When faced with a decision, ask yourself: “Can I make this decision in two minutes or less?” If yes, make it immediately. This strategy helps prevent small decisions from piling up and consuming mental energy better spent on more complex issues.
How to implement:
- Keep a list of quick decisions you frequently face in your business.
- Practice making these decisions rapidly, trusting your instincts.
- Celebrate each quick decision as a win for your decisiveness muscle.
2. The 70% Confidence Rule
Perfectionism can be a major roadblock for neurodivergent entrepreneurs. The 70% Confidence Rule states that when you’re 70% sure about a decision, it’s time to act. This approach balances thorough consideration with forward momentum.
How to implement:
- When facing a decision, rate your confidence level from 0-100%.
- If you’re at 70% or higher, commit to taking action within 24 hours.
- If below 70%, identify the 1-2 most crucial pieces of information you need to reach that threshold.
3. The Option Elimination Technique
Too many choices can overwhelm the neurodivergent mind. This technique helps you quickly narrow down your options to make decision-making more manageable.
How to implement:
- List all available options for a decision.
- Immediately cross off any that:
- Don’t align with your core values or business goals
- Are clearly impractical or unrealistic
- You have a strong negative gut reaction to
- From the remaining options, choose those that:
- Solve multiple problems at once
- Are easiest to implement or reverse if needed
- Excite you the most
- Aim to narrow your list down to 2-3 top contenders.
4. The Personal Decision Timer
Create a personalized guide for how long different types of decisions should take. This helps prevent overthinking and keeps your business moving forward.
How to implement:
- Categorize common business decisions:
- ASAP (within minutes or hours)
- Short-term (within a day or two)
- Medium-term (within a week)
- Long-term (within a month)
- Assign specific time limits to each category:
- ASAP: 15 minutes
- Short-term: 2 hours
- Medium-term: 1 day
- Long-term: 1 week
- When faced with a decision, refer to your guide and set a timer.
5. The Imperfect Action Ritual
Create a personal ritual to shift from overthinking to action. This helps overcome perfectionist tendencies and builds momentum.
How to implement:
- Choose a trigger (e.g., when you notice yourself overthinking).
- Select a physical action (e.g., standing up, taking three deep breaths).
- Set an intention with a short phrase (e.g., “I choose progress over perfection”).
- Define your focus time (start with 15-30 minutes of action mode).
- Plan a small reward for taking action.
Remember, becoming a decisive action-taker is a skill that improves with practice. Every time you apply these strategies, you’re strengthening your decision-making abilities and moving your business forward.
Which strategy resonates most with you? Share in the comments, and let’s support each other in our journey to becoming more decisive entrepreneurs!