Decision Making in Your Business: What I Learned from Sorority Rush

My daughter, Sammi, goes to Lehigh University (my alma mater) and just pledged a sorority.

Sorority recruitment (or rush) at college is a pretty intense experience. Sammi referred to it as a solid week for "girl flirting". At Lehigh rush happens DURING winter break. The freshmen girls go back early to focus on rush without the pressures of having to study too.

The nine sororities market heavily, as they compete for the girls' attention. In turn, the girls are aggressively marketing themselves, as they try to make the "right" impressions. Then there are reputations to consider. All first semester everyone talked about popular houses, party houses, "down to earth" houses, good and bad houses. Then there is also the pressure to uphold your legacy. In Sammi's case, I am that legacy -- I pledged AOPi. Not only that, but I was part of the class that brought AOPi to Lehigh. Surely that should make a difference.

By now you must be thinking, what the heck does this have to do with my business?

Here's the thing. All of the messages Sammi was getting about which sorority to pledge were right. All nine houses were valid options for her; however, she was getting so many messages that it quickly became overwhelming. This is the same thing that happens when you are faced with a decision you need to make in your business. There are so many options available. You hear success stories and promises of value. You are heavily marketed to, and rumors abound. You are left confused and overwhelmed. What are you going to do? What is the right choice?

With Sammi, I did my best to take myself out of the mix and tried to give her some sound motherly advice. I realized that this is exactly the same advice that I give my clients, who run 6-figure businesses, as we work together to help them forge their own path.

1. Recognize that most of the messages you receive are unsolicited. Take advice from those that you know and trust (or may pay) to help you.

2. You can't do it all. Think about yourself. What are you going to enjoy the most? Who do you really want to be with? What do you want to be doing?

3. Understand your goal. What do you want to achieve through this decision. Will the course of action you're choosing get you that result?

4. Take action. It's better to make a decision that's not 100% correct AND act on it than to keep waiting for more information or the opportunity will most likely pass you by.

5. Go with YOUR gut instinct. It is always right.

Sammi pledged Theta. It would have been fun to have matching sweatshirts, and I would have loved to pass my sorority pin down to her, but she made the decision that was right for her and she's thriving in it.

Think about all of the competing opportunities that are vying for your attention right now. Which are right for you? What are you going to take action on to help you move your business closer to your goal?