Why Building in Space Leads to Better Decisions
Earlier this year, I went on a college tour marathon with my high school sophomore. We toured beautiful campuses with knowledgeable guides, sat in on student panels, and picked up brochures that we haven’t looked at since.
I know it seems a little premature. But the point of the trip was never to decide where my son would go to college — there is no way he could have made that decision yet. The point was to start the process. Because when you start something early, you get something incredibly valuable. Space.
What Happens When You Don't Have Time
When you don't have space to make a decision, everything feels like a crisis that needs to be solved. You act quickly, sometimes without thinking the decision all the way through.
You might not notice a problem that could occur later. If you had more time, that would have led you to make a different decision. You might not even know that a better option was available until later. Without space, the pros and cons don't have time to reveal themselves. You're not working with all the information. You're managing a crisis instead of following a plan, and leaving the outcome to luck instead of strategy.
How Space Improves Decision-Making
Space gives you processing time. Your nervous system slows down, and what felt like a major crisis sometimes turns out to be no big deal.
You get to weigh every option and make an informed choice. You can explore different ideas and sit with the "what ifs." You can lean one way for a while, then decide it isn't right. Space lets you notice what resonates, sit with what doesn't, and let clarity build gradually instead of forcing it.
How to Give Your Next Decision More Room
Look at the big decisions on your horizon. A hire, a budget, a leadership transition, a strategic plan. Then work backward from the deadline and put a start date on your calendar, well before you feel ready.
Your first step doesn't have to be a decision. It can be gathering information, having a conversation, or simply naming what you're weighing. Starting small still buys you time to think.
You Don't Have to Have It Figured Out Yet
Some of the best decisions aren't made in moments of urgency. They're shaped over time through exposure, reflection, and experience. You can begin without knowing. You can explore without committing. And you can trust that clarity will come, piece by piece.
Whether you're a sophomore on a college tour or a leader navigating what's next for your organization, the same truth applies. You don't have to have it all figured out yet. You just have to be willing to start.
Want more strategies for making confident decisions and using your time well? Join my newsletter, The Gray Matter.
