Breaking free of analysis paralysis

Make better decisions in 4 steps

Consider this scenario: You can’t decide between taking the 3:05 p.m. train and the 4:12 p.m. train. You lose track of time. When you finally do look at the clock, it’s 3:06 p.m. The decision’s been made for you.

That happens so often in our business. A client of mine got so bogged down in ideas for a new lead magnet, instead of picking one and putting it out there, that she missed out on tons of leads. Indecision doesn’t just drain your mental energy—it hits your finances, too.

Here’s how to stop thinking “what if?” so you can start thinking “what’s next?”

1. List realistic options

A common trap? Fixating on unavailable options—it's akin to wanting to have your cake and eat it too. Start by defining your realistic options, and you’ll see the path clear up.

Real-life examples:

  • An ads strategist struggles between charging for consults and fearing client rejection. Charging is within her control; client reactions aren't.

  • A health coach wants to start a group program but is overwhelmed by format choices. While she can’t control every outcome, logical deduction can guide her decision.

2. Identify trade-offs

Every choice has its costs. Annoying but true. Our role is to pinpoint which compromises we're ready to make.

For instance, launching as an affiliate might mean temporarily sidelining your own products. It's a solid strategy, but could it cost you more lucrative opportunities? That’s what you need to weigh.

Back to our ads strategist: By opting to charge for her consults, she risked losing some potential future clients—but also paved the way for immediate revenue.

3. Evaluate risks

Now it’s time to measure the potential consequences of each option. Some decisions might seem minor, like experimenting with a new content format—maybe you lose some engagement, maybe not.

But what about a new launch strategy? Or switching from launch to evergreen? That’s needs more thought. Decision-making isn't about shunning risk but managing it wisely.

4. Commit to a timeline

Whether it’s testing a new type of content with five posts or reviewing the effectiveness of a new ad strategy after 30 days, give your decisions time to manifest results. This way, you can make faster decisions while still being deliberate and methodical.

You don’t have to use this decision-making model. There are so many out there you can use–OODA, PDCA, DMAIC and more. Or you can come up with your own. And you don’t have to stick to one, but pick one as your default. The more you use these model, the faster and better you’ll get at making decisions.

Meet Frenchie Ferenczi

Frenchie is a revenue strategist, speaker and mentor who helps entrepreneurs and creatives scale their visions. From growing $100-million enterprise companies to guiding thousands of clients to revenue success, she's seen and shaped it all. Frenchie lives in New York with her husband and kids. Grab a copy of her free guide, Stay Close to the Money: 37 Super Easy Ways to Grow Your Revenue (without being “salesy”).

F.R.E.E.D.O.M.

F = Fundamental tools & systems

Your sales team needs the best tools to achieve top performance. Think of success standards, scorecards, meeting structures, sales huddles, and tech tools. These are the elements that elevate your sales operations, saving you time and resources while increasing your team’s performance.

R = Revamping offers

Almost every offer needs to be tweaked and adjusted for a sales team to sell it. Doing so is actually quick (when you know how), increases profit, and simplifies selling.

E = Effective lead gen

The waters between marketing and sales often get muddied for online business owners. But the secret actually lies in creating a clear distinction between the two. We need to develop a rinse-and-repeat strategy that only channels the most qualified leads and prospects which allows your sales team to step in and effectively work their magic.

E = Exceptional Sales Leadership

Go from a cycle of non-stop sales calls to confidently stepping up as the leader and CEO of your company. Trade in 30 hours of weekly sales calls for just 10 hours spent strategically – reviewing calls, conjuring up winning strategies, sparking enthusiasm in sales meetings, and steering daily huddles. You’ll need support and guidance to totally crush it but once you find your stride, it’s like you’ve opened the door to a whole new world.

D = Dynamic Pipeline

Consider your pipeline as the beating heart of your sales operations. If your sales team isn’t constantly feeding and managing it, you’re staring at a slow descent into stagnation. Here we need to bring your pipeline to life by forecasting sales, spotting leaks, identifying opportunities, and keeping your team on their toes with an iron-clad accountability system.

O = Organized CRM

CRMs are jam-packed with automation and time-saving features that are essential for optimizing your sales team’s productivity. Here’s the kicker: I’m going to show you how your first sales team hire is your virtual assistant named “CRM” – my little inside joke!

M = Mastery through training

Mastery in sales doesn’t just happen, it’s the result of targeted, methodical training. Unfortunately, most underestimate the power of a robust training system, either overlooking its critical role or assuming it’s a huge task to implement. But it’s not just possible, it’s also the path to incredible results – with happier, more skilled reps as a cheeky little side effect.

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