You know those moments in the office when you're staring at your screen, trying to make a decision, but your mind feels like it's wrapped in cotton? That was me, every single day. I'd sit there with a cup of coffee that had gone cold, surrounded by sticky notes and half-finished to-do lists, feeling completely paralyzed by the weight of choices I had to make.
The Fog That Wouldn't Lift
I remember this one Tuesday morning last month. I had three different project proposals on my desk, each with their own merits and risks. My team was waiting for my decision, but I felt like I was trying to see through a windshield covered in mud. Every time I tried to think clearly about the options, my thoughts would scatter like leaves in the wind.
That's when I realized something had to change. I couldn't keep making decisions with a mind that felt like it was running on fumes.
The Discovery That Changed Everything
It started with a simple notebook I found in my desk drawer. I was about to throw it away when I thought, "What if I just wrote down what's going through my head right now?" So I did. I wrote about the three proposals, my fears about each one, and what I really wanted to achieve.
Something magical happened. As I wrote, the fog started to lift. I could see the real issues behind each option, not just the surface-level pros and cons. My thoughts, which had been bouncing around like ping-pong balls, suddenly started to organize themselves into something coherent.
The Daily Practice That Transformed My Work
Now, every morning before I even open my email, I spend ten minutes writing in my journal. I don't structure it or make it pretty—I just let whatever's on my mind flow onto the page. Sometimes it's about work decisions, sometimes it's about personal stuff that's affecting my focus. The key is that I'm getting it all out of my head and onto paper.
Here's what I've discovered about this practice:
It's like having a conversation with yourself. When I write about a difficult decision, I often find myself asking questions I hadn't considered before. "What am I really afraid of here?" "What would I tell a friend in this situation?" "What's the worst that could happen?"
Patterns emerge. After a few weeks of this practice, I started noticing that certain types of decisions were causing me the most stress. Once I identified these patterns, I could prepare for them better.
Clarity comes from honesty. When I'm writing just for myself, I can be completely honest about my fears, doubts, and real motivations. This honesty leads to much clearer thinking.
Real Examples from My Work Life
Let me give you a concrete example. Last week, I had to decide whether to invest in a new software system that would cost us $50,000 but could potentially save us hundreds of hours of manual work. My initial reaction was pure panic—that's a lot of money!
So I sat down with my journal and wrote about it. I wrote about my fear of making the wrong choice, about the pressure I felt from my team, about my concerns about the learning curve. As I wrote, I realized that my biggest fear wasn't the money—it was looking foolish if the system didn't work out.
That realization changed everything. I could then focus on the real question: "How do I minimize the risk of looking foolish?" rather than just "Should we spend this money?" The decision became much clearer once I understood what was really driving my uncertainty.
The Ripple Effect
What started as a personal practice has actually influenced how I work with my team. I've started encouraging others to take a few minutes to write down their thoughts before we make group decisions. The quality of our discussions has improved dramatically because people come to meetings with clearer thinking.
Making It Work for You
If you're interested in trying this approach, here's what I suggest:
Start small. Don't try to write a novel every morning. Just five minutes of free-form writing can make a huge difference.
Don't worry about grammar or structure. This isn't for anyone else to read. Just get your thoughts down however they come out.
Be consistent. The benefits really start to show after a few weeks of daily practice.
Review occasionally. Every now and then, look back at what you've written. You'll start to see patterns in your thinking that can help you make better decisions in the future.
The Unexpected Bonus
Here's something I didn't expect: this practice has made me more confident in my decisions. When I've taken the time to think through something in writing, I feel much more certain about my choices, even when they're difficult ones. I'm not second-guessing myself as much, and that's made a huge difference in my work life.
Your Turn
If you're feeling overwhelmed by decisions at work, I'd encourage you to give this a try. Grab a notebook, set aside five minutes in the morning, and just start writing about what's on your mind. You might be surprised by how much clarity you can find in those few minutes of honest reflection.
Remember, you don't need to have all the answers right away. Sometimes the act of writing down your questions is the first step toward finding the answers you need.
The next time you're stuck on a tough decision at work, try putting pen to paper. Your future self will thank you for it.
