Decision Made? 3 Tips to Stop Second Guessing Decisions

Do you ever find yourself second guessing decisions you’ve already made in your business? I know I have. And what makes it even harder is realizing I spent so much time making that decision in the first place, only to go back and doubt myself.

Here’s what I’ve learned: when we second-guess ourselves, we’re sending a signal to our brain that we’re not good at making decisions. And that message? It keeps us stuck in fear, overwhelm, or procrastination instead of moving forward in faith and confidence.

Sometimes it's not really about the decision itself—it's the fear of failure creeping in. Or it’s your inner critic stirring up doubt.

If you’ve been there too, here are three simple but powerful tips that help me stop second-guessing and start trusting myself again.

Tip One: That’s Not True 

When second-guessing creeps in, pause and say to yourself: That’s not true.

Then list the evidence. All the information that supports your decision-making skills. 

Why was it a good decision to begin with? Why, at the time, it was the right choice. 

For me, this often shows up with software tools. You could say software tools cause chronic second-guessing. I love trying new platforms, but when I hear someone rave about a different tool, I’ll catch myself wondering if I made the wrong choice. Could the other software tool do more? Am I missing out on really great features? 

That’s when I have to stop the spiral and remind myself:
I made that decision with care.
I don’t make big moves in my business without research and intention.

This pause helps me trust that I made a good decision, even if it wasn’t the “perfect” one. And honestly? There’s rarely a perfect answer in business—only the first step toward clarity and what is the right thing for you and your business.

Tip Two: What’s the Trigger? 

Next, ask yourself: What triggered this thought? 

Was it a podcast?

A conversation?

Something you saw on social?

When you can name the trigger, you take back control.

Sometimes second-guessing is tied to comparison. Maybe someone else’s path made you question your own judgment. Or maybe it stirred up imposter syndrome, making you feel like your choice couldn’t possibly be the right one.

Here’s where I lean into a bit of NLP:
There’s no failure—only feedback.

That little doubt you feel? That’s just data. It gives you insight into how you make decisions and what influences your confidence.

This reflection is what builds your decision-making skills. The more aware you become of those moments, the easier it is to quiet your inner critic the next time around.

My Personal Reminder 

This mantra has served me for years:

Business is easy when I take messy, imperfect action.

So when I start spiraling, I come back to this:
→ That’s not true
→ What triggered this?
→ Give yourself grace

And then, I move forward.

Friend, I want you to believe in your ability to make strong, wise decisions. You were never meant to stay stuck. And you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Business is easy when you take messy, imperfect action.