Ever find yourself agonizing over what to have for lunch but freezing up when it’s time to make a big business decision? You’re not alone. Many of us get stuck in this cycle—overthinking the small stuff and panicking over the big stuff. But here’s the secret: Top CEOs don’t waste time waffling. They use proven frameworks to cut through the noise and make decisions with clarity and confidence—even when they don’t have all the answers.
The good news? You don’t need a corner office to think like a CEO. With the right prompts, you can train ChatGPT to help you make smarter, faster decisions. Let’s dive in and turn indecision into action.
1. Create Your Decision Principles
CEOs who consistently outperform the competition don’t wing it. They rely on a set of core principles that guide every decision they make. Think of these principles as your North Star—they keep you grounded, focused, and consistent, no matter how chaotic things get.
Without clear principles, you’re at the mercy of emotions, opinions, and fleeting trends. But with them, you’ll build a reputation for sound judgment and reliable results.
Help me create a set of decision-making principles for my business. Ask me questions, one at a time, about my values, long-term vision, and what success looks like to me. After each response, dig deeper with a follow-up question. Once we’ve explored several areas, present 5 clear decision principles I can use when facing tough choices. Format each principle as a simple statement that I can easily remember and apply in various situations. My business is [describe your business].After a series of questions, ChatGPT might suggest principles like:
- “Always prioritize long-term growth over short-term gains.”
- “Decisions should align with our core values of integrity and innovation.”
- “When in doubt, choose the option that benefits the customer most.”
- “Avoid decisions that compromise team morale or culture.”
- “If it doesn’t move the needle, it’s not worth the effort.”
Why It Works: The Power of Decision Principles
Think of decision principles as your personal GPS for navigating tough choices. They cut through the noise and help you focus on what truly matters. Here’s why they’re so effective:
- Clarity in Chaos: When you’re faced with a mountain of options, principles act as a filter, helping you quickly eliminate what doesn’t align with your goals.
- Consistency: They ensure your decisions are consistent over time, building trust with your team, customers, and stakeholders.
- Confidence Boost: With clear principles, you’ll feel more confident in your choices, even when the stakes are high.
- Time-Saver: No more endless deliberation—principles help you make decisions faster, so you can focus on execution.
Ready to stop second-guessing yourself? Use this prompt to create your decision principles today and start making choices like a pro.
2. Set Decision Deadlines: Beat Overthinking and Take Action
Let’s face it: perfectionism is the enemy of progress. While others wait for the “perfect” moment or the “perfect” information, top CEOs know that good decisions made quickly are often better than perfect decisions made too late. They set deadlines to avoid analysis paralysis and keep momentum alive.
If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in an endless loop of “what ifs” and “maybes,” this prompt is your lifeline. It helps you create a structured timeline for decision-making, so you can stop overthinking and start acting.
I need to make a decision about [describe your decision choices]. I’m struggling with overthinking and wanting perfect information. Create a structured decision timeline with specific deadlines for: 1) gathering essential information, 2) consulting key stakeholders, 3) weighing options, and 4) committing to a final choice. For each stage, suggest what ‘good enough’ looks like so I know when to move forward.ChatGPT might create a timeline like this:
- Gather Essential Information (Deadline: 2 days):
- “Good enough” means you have the key facts and data needed to understand the problem. Don’t wait for every possible detail—focus on what’s critical.
- Consult Key Stakeholders (Deadline: 3 days):
- “Good enough” means you’ve heard from the most important voices. You don’t need unanimous agreement—just enough input to feel confident.
- Weigh Options (Deadline: 2 days):
- “Good enough” means you’ve identified the top 2-3 viable options and their pros and cons. Don’t overanalyze—trust your gut once you’ve done the basics.
- Commit to a Final Choice (Deadline: 1 day):
- “Good enough” means you’ve made a decision that aligns with your goals and principles. Remember, done is better than perfect.
Why It Works:
- Beats Procrastination: Deadlines force you to act, even when you don’t feel 100% ready.
- Reduces Stress: Knowing what “good enough” looks like takes the pressure off.
- Keeps Momentum: You’ll keep moving forward instead of getting stuck in endless deliberation.
Stop waiting for perfection. Use this prompt to set decision deadlines and take action today.
3. Know What to Delegate: Free Up Your Brainpower for What Matters
Here’s a truth bomb: You don’t have to make every single decision yourself. In fact, trying to do so is a surefire way to burn out and slow down your business. Strong CEOs know this—they focus their energy on high-impact choices and delegate the rest to their (very capable) teams.
If you’re spending hours agonizing over low-stakes decisions, it’s time to let go. This prompt helps you figure out which calls truly need your attention and which ones you can confidently hand off.
Help me identify which decisions I should make personally versus delegate. First, ask me about my current decision-making workload and team structure. Then create a decision matrix with four categories: 1) Critical decisions I must make myself, 2) Decisions I should provide input on but let others finalize, 3) Decisions others should make but inform me about, and 4) Decisions others can make independently. For each category, include specific examples based on my business context.After asking a few questions about your workload and team, ChatGPT might create a matrix like this:
- Critical Decisions I Must Make Myself:
- Example: Setting the company’s annual budget or approving major partnerships.
- Decisions I Should Provide Input On but Let Others Finalize:
- Example: Choosing a vendor for office supplies or planning team-building activities.
- Decisions Others Should Make but Inform Me About:
- Example: Hiring for junior roles or selecting software tools for specific departments.
- Decisions Others Can Make Independently:
- Example: Day-to-day task assignments or minor adjustments to project timelines.
Why It Works:
- Saves Time: Delegating frees up your mental energy for the big-picture stuff.
- Empowers Your Team: Trusting others to make decisions boosts their confidence and skills.
- Reduces Stress: You’ll feel less overwhelmed when you’re not micromanaging every detail.
Ready to stop sweating the small stuff? Use this prompt to create your decision matrix and start delegating like a pro.
4. Consider Future Consequences: Think Five Moves Ahead
Ever made a decision that seemed great at the time, only to realize later it was a total misstep? That’s the trap of focusing only on immediate outcomes. Exceptional decision-makers—like top CEOs—don’t just think about today. They consider how today’s choices will shape tomorrow’s opportunities (or challenges).
This prompt helps you train your brain to think long-term. It guides you through analyzing not just the immediate effects of a decision, but also its second- and third-order consequences.
Guide me through making a decision with long-term thinking. I’m considering [describe decision]. First, help me analyze the immediate impacts of each option I could take. Then, prompt me to consider (a) the second-order effects 1-2 years from now, and (b) third-order effects 5+ years from now. Ask me questions about potential ripple effects on my team, customers, and business model. After our discussion, create a summary that highlights which option best serves my future goals while minimizing long-term risks.”ChatGPT might guide you through a decision like this:
- Immediate Impacts:
- Option A: Saves money in the short term but requires significant team effort.
- Option B: Costs more upfront but streamlines processes immediately.
- Second-Order Effects (1-2 Years):
- Option A: Could lead to team burnout, affecting morale and productivity.
- Option B: May improve efficiency, freeing up resources for future projects.
- Third-Order Effects (5+ Years):
- Option A: Potential turnover and loss of key talent, impacting long-term growth.
- Option B: Establishes a scalable system, positioning the business for expansion.
Why It Works:
- Avoids Short-Sighted Mistakes: Thinking ahead helps you dodge decisions that feel good now but backfire later.
- Aligns with Long-Term Goals: You’ll make choices that support your vision, not just today’s needs.
- Minimizes Risks: By considering ripple effects, you can anticipate and mitigate potential downsides.
Ready to stop playing checkers and start playing chess? Use this prompt to think long-term and make decisions that set you up for future success.
5. Build Your Decision Dashboard: Let Data Drive Your Choices
Ever made a decision based on a “gut feeling” and later wished you’d had more data to back it up? You’re not alone. But here’s the thing: Top CEOs don’t rely on intuition alone. They use data to guide their choices, ensuring every decision is grounded in reality.
This prompt helps you create your own decision dashboard—a go-to tool for tracking the metrics that matter most to your business. With the right data at your fingertips, you’ll make confident, informed decisions every time.
Help me create a decision dashboard for my role as [your position]. First, ask me about the key areas I’m responsible for and what successful outcomes look like in each area. Then, suggest 7-10 specific metrics I should track regularly to make better decisions. For each metric, explain why it matters and what thresholds should trigger different actions. Include both leading indicators (that help predict future outcomes) and lagging indicators (that show past performance). Format this as a simple dashboard I can review weekly.After asking about your role and responsibilities, ChatGPT might create a dashboard like this:
- Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC):
- Why It Matters: Tracks how much you’re spending to acquire a new customer.
- Thresholds: If CAC exceeds $X, revisit your marketing strategy.
- Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR):
- Why It Matters: Shows your predictable revenue stream.
- Thresholds: If MRR growth drops below X%, investigate churn or pricing.
- Net Promoter Score (NPS):
- Why It Matters: Measures customer satisfaction and loyalty.
- Thresholds: If NPS falls below X, dig into customer feedback.
- Employee Engagement Score:
- Why It Matters: Predicts team productivity and retention.
- Thresholds: If engagement drops below X%, address morale or workload.
- Website Conversion Rate:
- Why It Matters: Indicates how well your site turns visitors into customers.
- Thresholds: If conversion drops below X%, optimize your landing pages.
- Cash Runway:
- Why It Matters: Tracks how long your current cash will last.
- Thresholds: If runway falls below X months, prioritize fundraising or cost-cutting.
- Lead Response Time:
- Why It Matters: Faster responses increase conversion rates.
- Thresholds: If response time exceeds X hours, streamline your sales process.
Why It Works:
- Data-Driven Decisions: You’ll make choices based on facts, not just feelings.
- Proactive Problem-Solving: Leading indicators help you spot issues before they escalate.
- Clear Accountability: A dashboard keeps you focused on what matters most.
Make Decisions Like a CEO—Your Path to Clarity and Confidence
Let’s face it: Indecision is exhausting. Whether you’re stuck overanalyzing lunch options or paralyzed by a high-stakes business choice, the toll it takes on your time, energy, and confidence is real. But here’s the good news: You don’t have to stay stuck.
By adopting the strategies of top CEOs, you can transform how you approach decisions—turning hesitation into action and doubt into clarity. Here’s a quick recap of what we’ve covered:
- Create Your Decision Principles: Build a North Star to guide every choice, ensuring consistency and alignment with your goals.
- Set Decision Deadlines: Beat perfectionism by setting timelines and knowing when “good enough” is good enough.
- Know What to Delegate: Free up your brainpower by focusing on high-impact decisions and trusting your team with the rest.
- Consider Future Consequences: Think five moves ahead to avoid short-term wins that lead to long-term losses.
- Build Your Decision Dashboard: Use data to ground your choices in reality, not just intuition.
The best CEOs aren’t born—they’re made through consistent practice and smart frameworks. And the same goes for you. Your next big decision could be the one that changes everything.
