Success Advice
8 Traps to Avoid When Making Fact Based Decisions

Many people pride themselves in trusting their gut when it comes to decision making. You may have heard that successful leaders have excellent gut instincts. Don’t be misled by this broad statement. The gut, regardless of how skilled it may be, can trap the best of us into a cycle of poor decisions.
There’s a fact-based approach to making decisions that’s been proven to work by the science of quality management. For over a century, global industry giants have relied on this science to drive outcomes. It tells us that the probability of achieving a desired long-term outcome dramatically increases when you embrace and apply it to your decisions. The approach has been studied, tried, and tested. Based on industry experience, global leaders recognize and watch out for known traps that can easily derail decision making at every level.
The same traps can derail your focus on making fact-based decisions. Here’s what to watch for as you strive to make fact-based decisions:
Trap 1: The Feelgood Faker
Many people are driven by emotions when it comes to decision making. The urge to move toward things that make us feel good and avoid things that make us feel bad is part of being human. Be open and willing to allow discomfort when making decisions. Sometimes the best decisions will require you to change, move, give up something, work harder than you expected, delay gratification, etc.
Trap 2: The Time Trickster
A sense of urgency, as well as procrastination, can trap us into making emotionally driven decisions. Quick decisions are more likely to be gut related. Recognize that the quickest, easiest solution is not always the best. Take a deep breath and follow the process while also not procrastinating. Don’t delay unnecessarily. The farther away from an incident, or opportunity for decision making, the tougher it is to identify and understand the facts.
Trap 3: The Blind Corner Smash
Understand the difference between objective and subjective information when preparing to make a fact-based decision. Objective information is factual. You cannot change it even if you would like to. It is what it is. Subjective information is driven by individuals. In other words, it’s made up of opinions, emotions, wishes, dreams, preferences, and such. You own your subjective information, and it can be anything you want it to be. The trick is understanding that you don’t own anyone else’s.
“You cannot make progress without making decisions.” – Jim Rohn
Trap 4: The Power Sucker
Once you clearly recognize the objective facts at play, and the subjective elements within your power to change, you can activate that power through decision-making. Decisions based on subjective information that you cannot control can quickly or slowly suck away your incredible power to create the outcome you envision.
Trap 5: The Blind Spot Blinder
Blind spots are tough to see. They can leave us wondering why our “excellent decision” turned out to be the opposite. Proactively seek to identify potential blind spots when making decisions — this often calls for courage, humility, and a growth mindset.
Trap 6: The Widespread Net Debacle
We all want and need to discuss big decisions with others. But carefully consider who is giving you advice, including their unique and subjective perspective. Great leaders accept responsibility for decision making, and therefore are purposeful when seeking input and advice.
Trap 7: The Root Cause Wrecker
Misunderstanding the root cause, or reason, why a decision must be made can wreck your thought process. Take the time to ensure that the decision/options you’re considering will address the root cause involved.
Trap 8: The Horizon Blocker
When making decisions, be careful not to overfocus on the immediate future. Look to the horizon, consider what you’re building, and keep your eye there. Despite what you may have heard, your life is not a process but rather a product that you can build to meet your authentic specifications. The science of quality management provides concepts and approaches proven to work. You can be as specific or as general as you wish, but committing and focusing on an outcome that has meaning to you is critical, and should always be top of mind when making decisions.
Gut reactions and emotions certainly play an integral role in decision making. Hopefully, our gut doesn’t let us down when it comes to our immediate personal safety or other scenarios that leave us with nothing to rely on but our instincts. However, don’t let your gut fool you, or get trapped by blindly believing that your instincts are always right. If guts were right every time, the world would be a different place.
Success Advice
7 Simple Acts of Kindness That’ll Make You Everyone’s Favorite Colleague
When you put kindness at the forefront of all your workplace interactions, you neutralize the viciousness and become someone that other people prefer to work with.

A lot of bruised feelings remain after last year’s election season. But instead of perpetuating the rancor, the world is ready for more kindness in the coming year. It’s time to rekindle your dormant kernel of kindness and vow to bring it with you each day when you enter your workplace. (more…)
Startups
The Secret to Using Video for Maximum Impact and Brand Growth
Master video storytelling to captivate, engage, and grow your brand

The Power of Video in Engagement and Personal Branding
How does one master the ability to captivate an audience? This capability can mean the difference between success and obscurity, but knowing how to achieve it is the biggest challenge. (more…)
Startups
6 Misconceptions About Digital Products That Are Costing You Time and Money
Avoid these 6 digital product myths and build a real business

You’ve probably seen or heard someone talking about how selling online products and digital courses is as easy as 1, 2, 3 and you’re making $10,000 in your sleep overnight. (more…)
Success Advice
The Young Man’s Guide to Leadership: 10 Essential Skills for Success
Nobody wants to follow a leader who lacks self-confidence. Followers want leaders who are competent.
-
Life3 weeks ago
Harness the ‘Battery Effect’ to Transform Life’s Tensions into Your Greatest Strength
-
Life4 weeks ago
Doing This for 30 Minutes a Day Can Unlock Your Full Potential
-
Startups4 weeks ago
7 Strategic Shifts to Help You Scale Your Business Smarter, Not Harder
-
Entrepreneurs2 weeks ago
10 Powerful Steps to Define and Solve Any Hard Problem Effectively
-
Entrepreneurs2 weeks ago
How Smart Entrepreneurs Leverage User Feedback for Market Success
-
Entrepreneurs4 weeks ago
Holistic Entrepreneurship: The Overlooked Formula for Long-Term Growth
-
Startups3 weeks ago
6 Misconceptions About Digital Products That Are Costing You Time and Money
-
Entrepreneurs3 weeks ago
The Secret to Resolving Employee Disputes Without Losing Productivity