The Hardest Decisions Aren't Made With More Information

Have I ever told you what I believe is one of the biggest myths about success?

It's this:

The more information I have, the easier the decision will be.

If only it were that simple.

I've worked with college students choosing a major, professionals weighing a career move and leaders navigating difficult organizational decisions. While every situation is different, I see one thing over and over again.

People aren't usually waiting for more information.

They're waiting to feel certain.

There's a difference.

Information helps us understand our options.

Certainty tells us there's no risk.

And the truth is, some of the most important decisions you'll ever make won't come with certainty.

They come with courage.

I've learned that firsthand.

There was a season in my life when a serious health challenge changed the trajectory of my career. It affected my confidence, my work and, ultimately, the role I was leading. For a while, I found myself questioning decisions I would've made without hesitation just months earlier.

That season taught me something I still carry into every coaching conversation today.

The goal isn't to eliminate uncertainty.

The goal is to make informed decisions, even when uncertainty is sitting at the table with you.

That's why my coaching doesn't begin with advice.

It begins with questions.

Questions that help people step back, look at the whole picture and recognize strengths, experiences and opportunities they may have overlooked.

Because here's what I've found.

Most people already know more than they think they do.

They simply need the space—and sometimes the right questions—to trust themselves enough to take the next step.

So let me leave you with one question.

What decision have you been postponing because you're waiting to feel 100% certain?

What if confidence isn't something you find before the decision?

What if it grows because you finally made one?

If you’ve ever delayed a decision because you were waiting for more certainty, I’d love to hear your story. Leave a comment below and tell me what helped you finally move forward. 

I read every comment and know that your perspective may be exactly what someone else needs to hear today.

And if this resonated with you, consider sharing it with someone who's standing at an important crossroads in their career or life.