The 10-Minute CEO: How to Make Smarter, Faster Decisions Without Overthinking

​Most entrepreneurs suffocate their own success by overthinking every decision. They get stuck in endless analysis, second-guessing, and waiting for the “perfect time” to act.

Meanwhile, the best entrepreneurs make fast, decisive moves—even in uncertainty. They understand that speed is power, and in business, the one who executes first usually wins.

So how do you stop paralysis by analysis and start making bold, confident decisions in minutes instead of weeks?

Here’s the 10-Minute CEO playbook to help you think clearer, decide faster, and take action without regret.

1. The 70% Rule: Stop Waiting for Perfect Information

🔥 The Problem: Entrepreneurs wait for 100% certainty before making a move.

🚀 The Fix: Jeff Bezos follows the 70% Rule—if you have 70% of the information, make the call and adjust later.

➡ What to Do Now:

• Ask: “Do I have enough information to make an educated decision?” If you’re over 70% confident, pull the trigger.
• Understand that waiting for 100% certainty = missed opportunities.
• Trust your ability to adapt—the faster you act, the faster you can course-correct if needed.

✅ Example: Musk launched Tesla’s Model 3 before production was ready. It wasn’t perfect, but it got to market first—and now it dominates.

2. The ‘$10,000 vs. $10’ Rule: Prioritize Like a CEO

🔥 The Problem: Entrepreneurs waste time overthinking small stuff while ignoring big, game-changing moves.

🚀 The Fix: Use the $10,000 vs. $10 rule—if the decision won’t significantly impact your business, stop obsessing over it.
➡ What to Do Now:

• Ask: “Will this matter in 6 months? A year?”
• If it’s a $10 problem (like choosing a font for your website), make a quick call and move on.
• If it’s a $10,000 decision (like hiring a key employee or pivoting your business strategy), spend time on it—but set a hard deadline.

✅ Example: Steve Jobs wore the same black turtleneck daily to avoid wasting decision-making energy on trivial choices. Put your brainpower where it matters.

3. The Two-Question Filter: Eliminate Overthinking in Seconds

🔥 The Problem: Entrepreneurs waste hours debating decisions instead of simplifying the process.

🚀 The Fix: Ask two simple questions to cut through the noise and decide fast:

1. What’s the worst-case scenario? Can I survive it?
2. What’s the best-case scenario? Is it worth the risk?

➡ What to Do Now:

• If the worst-case outcome won’t kill your business, take the risk and execute.
• If the upside is worth it, move forward without hesitation.
• If neither excites nor scares you, it’s not worth your time anyway.

✅ Example: Warren Buffett decides in minutes whether to invest in a company. He knows what he’s willing to lose—and focuses on the upside.

4. The “Bias for Action” Rule: Build Momentum Through Rapid Execution

🔥 The Problem: Many entrepreneurs have a “wait and see” mindset instead of a “test and learn” mindset.

🚀 The Fix: High-performing entrepreneurs act first, analyze second—because movement creates momentum.
➡ What to Do Now:

• When faced with a tough decision, ask “What’s the smallest action I can take right now?”
• Don’t spend weeks planning—launch, test, and iterate.
• Train yourself to default to action instead of hesitation.

✅ Example: Amazon tests products by launching them, not through endless market research. Speed wins.

5. The ‘One-Way vs. Two-Way Door’ Rule: Stop Overcomplicating Decisions

🔥 The Problem: Entrepreneurs treat every decision as life-or-death, leading to overanalysis.

🚀 The Fix: Recognize that most decisions can be reversed—so stop acting like they can’t.
➡ What to Do Now:

• One-Way Door Decisions = Major moves that can’t be easily undone (e.g., selling your company). Be deliberate, but don’t stall.
• Two-Way Door Decisions = Things you can reverse or pivot from (e.g., testing a new marketing strategy). Move fast—adjust if needed.

✅ Example: Facebook constantly launches features, tests them, and kills what doesn’t work. Your business should do the same.

Summing it up.  Speed Wins, Indecision KillsThe best entrepreneurs aren’t just smart—they’re fast and decisive.  You don’t need perfect answers—you need momentum.

Take these five principles and apply them immediately:

✔ The 70% Rule: Act before you have all the info.
✔ The $10,000 vs. $10 Rule: Stop sweating small stuff.
✔ The Two-Question Filter: Clarify risk vs. reward instantly.
✔ The Bias for Action: Do first, analyze later.
✔ The One-Way vs. Two-Way Door Rule: Know what’s reversible—then move.

Make the call. Move forward. And never look back.  Because at the end of the day, winners don’t hesitate. They execute.