Being unable to choose between several viable ideas isn't a strategy problem; it's a psychological one. This indecisiveness is often a defense mechanism, allowing you to talk about potential without ever risking the public failure of execution. The solution is to force a decision—flip a coin, draw from a hat—and commit.

We mistakenly believe external goals grant us permission to feel happy. In reality, happiness is a neurochemical process our brain controls. Understanding this allows one to short-circuit the endless chase for external validation and learn to generate fulfillment on demand.

Contrary to the economic theory that more choice is always better, people sometimes prefer fewer options. Removing a tempting choice, like a bowl of cashews before dinner, can lead to better outcomes by acting as a pre-commitment device, which helps overcome a lack of self-control.

Modern culture defines freedom as autonomy and keeping options open. A more powerful form is the "freedom to do hard things," which is only achieved through commitment. By closing off options—like committing to a person or a craft—we gain the capacity and skill to achieve meaningful goals.

To avoid analysis paralysis in major life decisions like marriage or faith, adopt the Marine Corps' leadership principle: gather 80% of the necessary information, then make a choice and commit. Waiting for 100% certainty is a trap that paralyzes action and postpones happiness.

A founder's retrospective analysis often reveals that delayed decisions were the correct ones, and the only regret is not acting sooner. Recognizing this pattern—that you rarely regret moving too fast—can serve as a powerful heuristic to trust your gut and accelerate decision-making, as inaction is often the biggest risk.

Minor routines, like wearing the same style of shirt or eating the same healthy breakfast, are not restrictive. This discipline frees you from decision fatigue on low-impact choices, preserving crucial mental energy for the strategic thinking that actually matters.

To gain clarity on a major decision, analyze the potential *bad* outcomes that could result from getting what you want. This counterintuitive exercise reveals hidden motivations and clarifies whether you truly desire the goal, leading to more robust choices.

Categorize decisions by reversibility. 'Hats' are easily reversible (move fast). 'Haircuts' are semi-permanent (live with them for a bit). 'Tattoos' are irreversible (think carefully). Most business decisions are hats or haircuts, but we treat them like tattoos, wasting time.