The Decision to Not Decide is Costing You Your Freedom
Written by Josh Kerpan, Success Coach
Josh Kerpan is a business owner and coach who empowers people to pursue their God-given potential in business, family, and life through mentorship, modeling, and practical systems that create clarity, freedom, and sustainable growth.
Possibly the most underrated life skill is the ability to make a decision. Making a decision is really just answering a question. That sounds simple enough, right? Why, then, is it so hard? Even small decisions can create paralysis by analysis.
Where it starts
I suspect it goes back to when we were children. At first, we had no issues making a decision and then learning from the outcome. If we wanted something, we would move toward it, often by trial and error, and keep trying until we got it. Then we went to school.
All day long, we were asked questions for which we needed to give an answer. If the answer was right, we were praised. If the answer was wrong, we were admonished or even made fun of. So progressively, we hesitated to give an answer until we knew it was the right one.
The cost of hesitation
That approach to life eliminates how useful it can be to embrace failure as a method of growth. Many people, consequently, develop a strong fear of giving the wrong answer or making the wrong decision.
There are no wrong decisions, except the decision not to make a decision. Personal responsibility starts here, and ownership of your choices is the entry point to everything else.
Decisions equal freedom
Once you make a true, committed decision, you step out of ambivalence. Ambivalence is a state of high internal tension that creates significant stress. People will live through a tremendous amount of that stress over decisions as small as what shoes to wear.
It is easy to see that life would be easier if we were quick to make those small, everyday decisions. According to research from Harvard Business Review, the people who navigate the toughest decisions well are the ones who commit decisively rather than wait for perfect information. But what about the big, life-altering decisions? The bigger the decision, the bigger the stress, and the longer most people will live in that state. But big decisions also bring big freedom.
Why big decisions free you
When you make a big, committed decision, the magic is that many future decisions are already made for you. When you know where you are going, you have the filter in place to make all future decisions. But you must make a committed decision.
Every decision comes with action. The root of the word means “to cut off.” So when you make a true decision, you cut off all other options. You burn the boats. That requires action that commits you to the decision.
A simple decision framework
I have a very simple decision-making framework. I suggest you use this. For more on building intentional growth systems, explore my other writing.
Know what you want. Anchor every decision to that.
Write the decision down.
Does it move you toward your goal? If not, say no.
Does it fit your values? Is it legal, moral, and ethical?
What is the best-case scenario if you say yes?
What is the worst-case scenario? Most of the time, you end up right where you started.
Finally, commit. Take a micro action toward your goal; burn the boats.
Train the muscle
Decision-making is a muscle. Practice it. Strengthen it every day, and you will experience more freedom and have a better life. The same is true for building leadership habits; the reps compound.
Closing thought
The decision not to decide is still a decision. It just happens to be the most expensive one you can make. Every day you stay in ambivalence is a day you trade freedom for the illusion of safety. Start with the small ones. Build the muscle. Then make the big one you have been avoiding. That is where your freedom is waiting.
Read more from Josh Kerpan
Josh Kerpan, Success Coach
Josh Kerpan is a business owner and coach who helps people step out of the operator trap and pursue their God-given potential in business, family, and life. Through mentorship and modeling, he teaches practical systems for clarity, delegation, and intentional leadership. His work is grounded in real-world ownership, disciplined thinking, and the belief that businesses should support a well-lived life, not replace it.
