Just Be Simple.

- written by Steven Wolverson

The world loves to tell you that big decisions require complex spreadsheets, endless "pro and con" lists, and weeks of agonizing over every possible outcome. That is the "poverty mindset" of the intellect—the fear that if you don't account for every grain of sand, the whole castle will crumble.

But here is a truth I learned while sitting in a small, quiet room at fourteen, realizing that my life was entirely my own to build: An abundant life is a simple life. And a simple life is built on a framework of fast, clear, and ruthless decision-making.

If you are paralyzed by a choice right now, it’s not because you lack information. It’s because you lack a system. Let’s break down the psychology of the "Decisive Mind" and build yours from the ground up.

1. The Trap of the "Perfect" Choice

Most people don’t make decisions; they seek certainties. They wait for a sign, a feeling, or enough data to guarantee they won’t fail. But certainty is a ghost. In the time it takes you to find "perfection," the opportunity has already expired.

When I was fifteen, I realized that discipline wasn't just about waking up early; it was about the discipline of choosing. Every hour spent in indecision is an hour of your life you are throwing into a black hole.

Stop looking for the "right" decision. Start focusing on the "intentional" decision. A "right" decision is based on the outcome (which you cannot control). An "intentional" decision is based on your logic and values (which you can control).

2. The 70% Rule: Speed Over Certainty

One of the most powerful lessons I’ve learned in execution is the 70% Rule. If you have about 70% of the information you need, act.

If you wait for 90% or 100%, you are moving too slowly. The world belongs to the executors, not the over-thinkers. When you decide quickly, you gain something more valuable than correctness: Momentum.

If you’re wrong: You find out early, you pivot, and you learn.
If you’re right: You’ve gained a massive head start while everyone else is still staring at their spreadsheets.

3. The Minimalist Framework: The Rule of Three

Complexity is the enemy of action. When we face too many variables, our brains enter "analysis paralysis." To fix this, we apply minimalism to our choices.

Whenever you are faced with a complex problem, strip it down to three core variables. Ignore the rest. For example, if you are deciding whether to start a new business venture:

Does this align with my long-term vision?
Do I have the resources to execute the first step today?
Is the "worst-case scenario" survivable?

If the answer to these three is "Yes," the decision is made. Stop looking at the fourth, fifth, and sixth variables. They are just distractions designed to make you feel "busy" while you’re actually just being afraid.

4. Overcoming the "Sunk Cost" Ghost

Coming from a background where resources were scarce, I saw people hold onto bad situations because they had already "invested" so much time or money. They stayed in dead-end jobs or toxic relationships because "I’ve been here for five years."

This is a trap. The time and money you spent are gone. They are "sunk." Your decision today should only be based on what will make your life better from this moment forward.

Ask yourself: "If I weren't already in this situation, would I choose to get into it today?" If the answer is no, then the decision to leave is already made. Anything else is just you negotiating with a ghost.

5. The Power of "Binary Thinking" for Daily Choices

We have a finite amount of "decision energy" every day. This is why I wear similar clothes and eat similar meals. I don't want to waste my cognitive gold on things that don't move the needle.

For the big things, use your brain. For the small things, use these Rules.

If it takes less than two minutes, do it now.
If it’s not a "Hell Yes," it’s a "No."

By automating the small stuff, you clear the mental space to be a titan when the life-changing choices arrive.

6. Embracing the Growth Mindset in Failure

What if you make a "bad" decision?

In my world, there are no bad decisions, only data points. A decision that leads to a failure is just a very expensive, very effective masterclass in what doesn't work. Because I value continuous learning above all else, I see a "wrong" choice as a success in gathering information.

The only true failure is the decision to do nothing.

The Immediate Action Plan

Be a goal-oriented person. I don't want you to just read this; I want you to change. Here is your execution plan for the next 24 hours:

Identify the "Lingering Choice":

What is the one thing you’ve been putting off deciding?

Apply the 70% Rule:

Do you have enough info to be 70% sure? If yes, move to step 3.

The Survival Check:

Is the worst-case scenario survivable? (It almost always is).

Execute Immediately:

Make the call, send the email, or buy the ticket. Do it before your "poverty mindset" tries to talk you out of it.

Abundance is simple. It starts with the courage to choose.

Go choose.

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