As a CEO or business leader you are constantly making decisions, often in a fast pace, distraction filled fog that fills the days. The problem is that some of these decisions are critical and sometimes irreversible (I call these Type A).

At best they are changeable (type B) but can result in lost time, money and effort. Sometimes impacting confidence in your decision making ability.

And too many decisions leads to decision fatigue depleting your dopamine supply, reducing motivation and raising stress levels.

The added complexity for the ADHD brain is that distractions, busy environments or competing tasks take away cognitive ability to process decisions carefully.

This is where we need a process to support this executive function in a way that puts you back in the driving seat, making confident decisions with mental clarity on the impact.

Here is a 7 Step Structured Decision Making Process to Make Better Decisions

7 Step Structured Decision Making Process to Make Better Decisions

Step 1 Is the decision a Type A or Type B?

Type A irreversible – Type B can be changed later. The former will require more focus and attention.

Step 2 Who must make this decision?

Ask yourself who has expertise & knowledge to make this decisions. This can help to reduce decision fatigue which is common to those with ADHD and leaders in high stress industries such as Tech, finance and healthcare. You can always delegate. Remember like Henry Ford, you hire the best people, so that they can lead in the areas they specialise in most.

Step 3 Time Frame

When does this decision need making by? Setting a deadline can help to hone focus and prevent decisions dragging until they become made by default/ for you.

Step 4 Ditch distraction

Create a distraction-free zone for making the decision. Your brain doesn’t filter distractions as easily and can be troubled by noise & other things vying for your attention. This will allow you to focus & make quick, clear decisions.

Step 5: Use a Structured Framework

Tools like SWOT analysis, pros/cons lists, mind mapping, or whiteboarding. These visual and logical methods help represent your thoughts and process information better.

Step 6: Break it Down

Break down large, ambiguous problems. Large decisions can seem abstract especially to the ADHD brain. Break them into smaller questions to reduce cognitive load and make facts easier to process.

Step 7: Self Regulate against Impulse

Despite the impulsive nature to keep moving fast, especially in fast paced industries, press pause to avoid hasty decisions. Use self-regulation techniques like mindfulness (more on this coming up) or breath work to avoid poor choices you might later regret.