Okay, I need to confess something: I talk to myself. A lot. And I'm not embarrassed about it anymore because it's completely changed how I make decisions for my business.
I know it sounds crazy—"Luigi, you're talking to yourself again"—but hear me out. When I'm facing a tough business decision, numbers and spreadsheets only get me so far. Sometimes I need to hear my thoughts out loud to really understand what I'm thinking.
The Moment I Realized I Wasn't Crazy
It happened about a year ago. I was sitting in my home office, staring at a spreadsheet that was supposed to help me decide whether to expand my business into a new market. The numbers looked good, but something felt off. I couldn't put my finger on it.
Frustrated, I started talking through my thoughts out loud. "The market research shows demand," I said to myself. "The financial projections are solid. The team is ready..." And then I heard myself say something that stopped me in my tracks: "But what if I'm just doing this because I'm bored with the current business?"
That was it. That was the real issue. I wasn't making this decision based on sound business logic—I was making it because I was restless. Once I heard that thought spoken aloud, I could see the situation clearly for the first time.
Why Voice Journaling Works for Business Decisions
Here's what I've discovered about why speaking your thoughts works better than just thinking them:
You can't hide from yourself when you're speaking. When I'm just thinking, I can gloss over uncomfortable truths or rationalize bad decisions. But when I'm speaking out loud, I have to actually say the words, and that makes it much harder to deceive myself.
Hearing your thoughts changes your perspective. There's something about hearing your own voice say something that makes it feel more real. It's like having a conversation with a trusted advisor—except that advisor is you.
It helps you process complex information. Business decisions often involve multiple factors, competing priorities, and emotional considerations. Speaking through these helps me organize my thoughts in a way that just thinking doesn't.
It reveals your true motivations. When I'm speaking about a business decision, I often discover that my stated reasons aren't my real reasons. The act of speaking helps me get to the heart of what's really driving my choices.
My Voice Journaling Process
Here's exactly how I use voice journaling for business decisions:
1. Set the scene
I find a quiet place where I won't be interrupted. Sometimes it's my office, sometimes it's my car, sometimes it's just walking around my neighborhood. The key is privacy and the ability to speak freely.
2. Start with the facts
I begin by stating the decision I need to make and the key facts as I understand them. "I need to decide whether to hire a new salesperson. Our current team is at capacity, we have qualified candidates, and the budget allows for it."
3. Speak through my thoughts
Then I just start talking about what I'm thinking. I don't structure it or try to be logical—I just let my thoughts flow as they come to me. "I'm worried about the onboarding process... but I'm also excited about the potential growth... what if they don't work out?"
4. Listen to what I'm saying
This is the crucial part. I pay attention to what I'm actually saying, not just what I think I should be saying. Often, the real insights come from the casual comments I make, not the formal analysis.
5. Record it (sometimes)
If it's a particularly important decision, I'll record my voice journaling session. This lets me review it later and catch things I might have missed in the moment.
Real Examples from My Business
Let me give you a concrete example. Last month, I was considering whether to invest in a new software system for my company. The salesperson was pushing hard, the demo looked impressive, and several of my competitors were using similar systems.
I sat down and started talking through my thoughts: "The system would streamline our processes... the cost is manageable... the team seems excited about it..." And then I heard myself say, "But I'm not sure we're ready for this level of change right now."
That was the key insight. The system was good, the timing was wrong. We had other priorities that needed attention first. Without speaking that thought aloud, I might have made the purchase and regretted it later.
The Unexpected Benefits
What started as a decision-making tool has become something much bigger:
Better team communication. When I've thought through decisions by speaking them aloud, I'm much better at explaining my reasoning to my team. I've already practiced articulating my thoughts.
Improved confidence. When I've spoken through a decision and heard myself work through the pros and cons, I feel much more confident about my choice. I know I've considered the important factors.
Faster decision-making. Instead of agonizing over decisions for days, I can often reach clarity in a single voice journaling session. The act of speaking helps me organize my thoughts more efficiently.
Better self-awareness. I've learned a lot about my own decision-making patterns by listening to myself speak. I can see when I'm being overly cautious, when I'm rushing into things, or when I'm letting emotions cloud my judgment.
Making It Work for You
If you want to try voice journaling for your business decisions, here are some tips:
Start with small decisions. Don't try this for the first time on a million-dollar investment. Practice with smaller choices to get comfortable with the process.
Find your privacy. You need to feel comfortable speaking freely without worrying about being overheard. Your car, a private office, or even a quiet walk can work.
Don't worry about sounding professional. This is just for you. Use whatever language feels natural, even if it's not how you'd speak in a boardroom.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong when you say it out loud, pay attention to that feeling. Your subconscious often knows things your conscious mind hasn't processed yet.
The Science Behind It
I did some research and found out that there's actually science backing this up. When we speak our thoughts, we engage different parts of our brain than when we just think them. The act of forming words and hearing them spoken creates a feedback loop that helps us process information more thoroughly.
Plus, speaking helps us access what psychologists call "implicit knowledge"—things we know but haven't consciously articulated yet.
Your Turn
If you're struggling with business decisions or just want to improve your decision-making process, I'd encourage you to try voice journaling. It might feel awkward at first, but the benefits are real.
Remember, you're not crazy for talking to yourself. You're just giving yourself the gift of clarity. And in business, clarity is everything.
The next time you're facing a tough decision, try speaking your thoughts aloud. You might be surprised by what you discover about your own thinking.
Your business will thank you for it.
