As business owners, we make countless decisions daily, and the choices we make can make or break the final result. Whether it’s deciding on a new project, team changes, an investment, or day-to-day operational processes… each choice impacts the direction of your business and the ‘ripple effect’ it creates (positive or negative).

I experienced this firsthand while refining my upcoming launch. My generous nature led me to overcomplicate my lead magnet – turning it into a full course! While I’ll share that course another time, it became overwhelming for an introductory offer. If I was feeling the strain, I knew my audience wouldn’t benefit as intended. Instead of creating a positive ripple effect, I realized it could have the opposite impact on the people I most want to help. So, I pivoted to ensure I was serving my community in the best way possible.

After reflecting and using a framework called the Decision Tree for decision-making, I realized I needed a simpler approach. The Decision Tree is a powerful tool that’s evolved since the 1950’s. It breaks down complex decisions by mapping out options and analyzing the best, worst, and most likely outcomes. It’s widely used in business and other fields to help clarify the consequences of each choice and guide toward the best course of action.

Much like cooking, making decisions in business is about choosing the right ingredients to get the best result. I’ve always loved how simple ingredients when combined just right, create something truly wonderful.

It’s about balance… choosing the elements that will enhance, not overwhelm.

That’s why I’m sharing this tool with you today. Make a copy of this Google Sheet to save your template and use. My adaptation, called The Empowered Choices Decision Tree Framework, is designed to help you make better decisions by breaking them down into manageable steps while balancing logic and intuition. Once I refined the ingredients in the Decision Tree, this tool helped me realign my focus and make decisions more strategically, considering different scenarios and ensuring my choices aligned better with my goals and core values.

Business Recipe: Empowered Choices Decision Tree Framework

Download this free decision-making template. Make a copy in Google Drive and here’s how you can use it today:

Start with the decision you need to make: What’s the question or challenge you’re facing?

Reflect on a few prequalifying questions: To ensure you’re heading in the right direction and for the reasons that matter most to you.

Identify your options: Write down the 2 – 3 main options you’re considering.

Evaluate the outcomes: What’s the best-case, worst-case, and most likely scenario for each option?

Decide on your next step: After seeing the potential outcomes, which option feels most aligned with your vision and values?

Take that step and move forward with confidence!

With your answers, you’ll have more clarity. You’ll feel less fearful of the unknown. It’s been a game-changer for me and my clients so far, and I know it can help you make clearer, more strategic choices.

Looking back, if I had used the Decision Tree method when first defining my launch, I could have saved so much time and energy by asking some simple and key questions. Sometimes, it takes trial and error to learn those lessons and I’m grateful for this one!

Now, you can avoid those same pitfalls and empower your decision-making process with this proactive tool. Download the Decision Tree Template here. Make a copy in Google Drive, so you can begin using it for your next important decision.

And because no newsletter from me would be complete without sharing a delicious food recipe, I’m sharing my Roasted Butternut Squash Soup recipe on this special Canadian Thanksgiving Day. Just like in business, choosing the right “ingredients” – the right tools, people, support systems, and decisions – creates a fulfilling experience with richer results.

Food Recipe: Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 medium-sized Butternut Squash, halved and seeded
• 1 Tbsp. butter
• 1 Tbsp. coconut oil
• 1 Spanish onion, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 2 tsp grated fresh ginger root
• 2 Honeycrisp apples, peeled and chopped
• 3 cups chicken stock
• 1 1/2 tsp fresh Thyme leaves or ½ tsp dried thyme leaves
• 1 1/2 tsp fresh Basil leaves or ½ tsp dried basil leaves
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 4 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
• Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
• Raw pumpkin seeds, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Heat oven to 400°F and line a rimmed cookie sheet with parchment paper.
2. Brush the inside of halved butternut squash with 1 tsp melted butter per half, season with salt and pepper. Keep cut side up and roast until tender, about 45 minutes. Cool enough to scoop into a large soup pot later, once it’s cool enough to handle.
3. Meanwhile, in that large soup pot, heat the remaining oils and add chopped onion. Cook on medium until the onion is soft, about 4 minutes. Add garlic, ginger, basil, and thyme and cook for 2 minutes longer, stirring frequently.
4. Sauté chopped apples with onion mixture, to soften.
5. Add scoops of the cooked squash and the chicken stock.
6. Cook until the apples are soft.
7. Puree with an immersion blender (or in batches in a food processor or blender).
8. Garnish with crumbled bacon, parsley, and raw pumpkin seeds.

Serves 5 – 6. Enjoy!

Just as choosing the right ingredients brings out the best flavours in cooking, using the right tools brings out the best results in your business. This simple, hearty soup is full of flavour that is enhanced by the nuances of roasting, using fresh herbs, or adding the healthy and crunchy aspect of pumpkin seeds. The same principles apply in business. Making small, strategic adjustments to how you and your team optimize the use of tools, processes, and even decision-making can lead to a much more fulfilling outcome.

A Special Invitation and Gift…

Before I go, I’m excited to let you in on a gift that my subscribers are getting advanced notification about on this Canadian Thanksgiving Day.

At 11 am Eastern / 8 am Pacific on Saturday, October 26th, I’ll be hosting a virtual masterclass Unlock Clarity That Guides Your Business Success. This session will help you clarify your vision, align it with your business goals, and start making decisions with more ease, focus, and confidence to take purposeful action. It’s not your typical Vision Statement or Vision Boarding class (although they have their benefits and place). Sometimes you have to spice it up a notch to ensure a system works better for you.

Spots are limited to 20 people, so if you’re ready to uplevel your decision-making and vision for your future goals and business, join us by registering here: Unlock Clarity That Guides Your Business Success
P.S. On this Canadian Thanksgiving… I’m grateful for this tool and special moments with loved ones. What are you grateful for in your business? I’d love to hear about your wins or lessons!

P.P.S. As a subscriber, you’re getting first access to my upcoming masterclass to unlock clarity with a brighter vision! Consider it my gift to you for being part of my community. And it’s not your typical Vision Board or Vision Statement Masterclass. Click here to join us and secure your spot today. Claim your spot today!