How to stop second-guessing yourself

When you’re helping your boss run a business, it’s easy to get bogged down with details, but it’s no good to anyone if you doubt your own decisions. Writing for the Harvard Business Review, Carolyn O’Hara gives her top tips to stop second-guessing yourself.

Take stalk of the situation
If you’ve got a lot on your plate, there’s no point wasting time going over things you’ve already done. Stop worrying about decisions you’ve already made and move on to the next task.

Listen to yourself
You have to feel comfortable with your decision. If your gut tells you it’s wrong, go with the one that seems right. That’ll keep you from second-guessing yourself.

Get opinions from others
If you’re truly stuck, get feedback from experienced people. Their knowledge will help you make an informed decision and will boost your confidence. They can also help you if things go wrong.

Consider all the angles
Step out of your comfort zone when it comes to a difficult decision. Think about the situation from all angles and how your choice might affect those around you.

Not all decisions are final
Most of the time, what you decide is set in stone, but not always. If you truly feel you need to, go back on your decision – but only if it’s the right thing to do.

Follow up
The best way to know if your gut feeling was right is to set a date to formally follow up on your decision. Do a proper review to find out how your judgement is working out for the situation.

Read the original article at bit.ly/1L1VKDV