Hi Reader,

The election is over, but the days (or weeks) leading up to it can leave us with a lingering buzz of tension. That sense of high-stakes urgency can make it tough to settle back into a business-as-usual mindset.

So today, let’s look at a few practical strategies for staying grounded in our work—even when external events have everyone a little on edge. Inspired by Gerd Gigerenzer’s Gut Feelings, here’s a playbook for clear, focused decision-making, especially when the world around us feels loud and unpredictable.

If you're going to read anything this week:

Whether it’s an election or any high-stakes event, the key to moving forward is creating routines that build confidence and cut through distractions. Here are three ways to create clarity and regain focus in your business decision-making—no matter what’s happening around you.

1. Lean Into “Good Enough” Decisions—Especially for Small, Day-to-Day Choices

Gigerenzer’s research in Gut Feelings tells us that our intuition can be a reliable guide, especially in times of uncertainty. He calls this “satisficing”—making decisions that are sufficient rather than ideal, so we can keep moving forward. When noise is high, getting bogged down in perfecting each choice can be paralyzing, particularly for routine or tactical decisions. I would know!

• How This Works for Your Business ⚙️: Focus on making quick, instinct-based decisions for day-to-day choices where the stakes are low. For example, if you’re debating which customer feedback to address first, go with your gut—prioritize the issue that seems to resonate most. This frees up mental space for the high-stakes decisions that genuinely require deeper thought.
• Next Move 🚀: Identify one or two smaller areas in your business this week—maybe scheduling, initial client feedback, or which projects get first attention—and commit to making “good enough” calls instead of perfect ones. This way, you’ll keep the team’s momentum going without bogging everyone down.

2. Anchor Your Team with “Tiny Certainties” to Keep Morale and Focus High

Uncertainty in the broader world can lead to a feeling of unpredictability within our teams. A great way to counterbalance that is by reinforcing what I call “tiny certainties”—small, clear actions that give everyone a sense of focus and forward motion. These are business actions you can control, even if big-picture events remain out of reach.

• How This Works for Your Business ⚙️: Break down larger goals into actionable steps that everyone can see and tackle confidently. For instance, instead of holding off on a launch or campaign due to “waiting for the right time,” create and commit to one small, concrete deliverable that progresses the larger goal. It can be as simple as finalizing next week’s messaging or scheduling a client check-in.
• Next Move 🚀: Give your team one small, immediate task that everyone can rally around, whether it’s finalizing a project milestone, setting up a check-in meeting, or sending an update to clients. These small wins help boost morale and keep everyone focused on what’s within reach.

3. Embrace the Power of Pausing for Big-Picture Decisions

While it might sound counterintuitive, sometimes the best way to handle noise and high energy is by deliberately stepping back. Gigerenzer’s research shows that taking breaks can improve clarity, especially for complex or strategic decisions. Letting your brain “off the hook” for a moment allows subconscious processing, often leading to clearer, more intuitive outcomes.

• How This Works for Your Business ⚙️: Use strategic pauses to reset your perspective on high-impact decisions. For example, if you’re deciding on a new strategic direction or a partnership, stepping away—even for a short time—can offer fresh insights. Regular breaks or a few hours away from big projects can help you avoid rushing into decisions out of stress or urgency.
• Next Move 🚀: Set a “strategic pause” this week. Block out 15–30 minutes for yourself and/or your leadership team to step back from an important decision. This could be a coffee break, a team walk, or a brainstorm session where you encourage open, low-pressure discussion. When you return to the decision, you’re likely to have more clarity and focus.

Real-World Example: How Patagonia Builds Progress with Small, Grounded Actions

Patagonia’s commitment to sustainability is massive, but their approach is built on focused, manageable steps that keep momentum high. For instance, rather than launching broad, sweeping initiatives, Patagonia tackles specific, visible goals like converting its entire cotton line to 100% organic cotton—a process that took years of incremental changes. Each season, they set concrete targets, working closely with farmers and gradually shifting production methods to ensure long-term impact.

This focus on small, actionable goals allows Patagonia to maintain steady progress, proving that even major missions can start with grounded, “tiny certainties” that lead to lasting change.

Final Thoughts

With the election behind us, it’s a great time to reconnect with what we can control in our work. By prioritizing “good enough” decisions, creating small wins, and embracing pauses for clarity, we can lead our teams with a clear, grounded focus—even when the world feels unpredictable.

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Instant Upgrades:

Links to dope sh*t from around the Internet.

• ​Pomofocus: Boost focus with 25-minute work sprints and quick breaks. Experiment with time-boxing decisions too.
• ​Endel: Another tool to enhance focus and concentration using sounds.
• ​Freedom App: Block distracting websites and apps to stay on task during deep work sessions.
• ​The Uncertainty Project: A toolbox for decision-making frameworks, from Scenario Planning to the Cynefin Framework.
• ​FutureMe: Write and schedule an email to yourself in the future—ideal for setting goals or reflecting on current challenges.

I'll see you next week!

All my best,

Justin Bridges

2x Founder, Startup Marketer, Plant Dad🌱
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P.S. If you find yourself feeling a little scattered, try out Gigerenzer’s advice: trust your instincts on the smaller business decisions this week, and see where “good enough” gets you. Sometimes, a steady pace is all we need to move forward.