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Angela Edwards

I flipped a coin to make a business decision.

Published 8 days ago • 2 min read

Hey there Reader,

True story: last month I made a business decision by flipping a coin.

Heads, I take on the project. Tails, I pass.

It landed on tails. I did not like that. So naturally, I did what any rational, emotionally regulated business owner would do. I flipped it again.

Still tails. Flipped a third time out of pure spite. (Also tails. The universe was being extremely clear with me and I was choosing violence.)

Here's what that little coin-flipping meltdown taught me. I already knew the answer. My gut had made the call days earlier. I just didn't trust it, so I went looking for something, anything, to either back it up or override it. A quarter was not the tool for the job. Neither, honestly, was the spreadsheet I built afterward to "confirm" what I already felt.

That's the trap. We treat data and instinct like they're on opposing teams, like you have to pick a side and defend it in the group chat. But the CEOs who make good calls under pressure aren't choosing between the two. They're using both, on purpose, and they know exactly when to reach for which one.

Spoiler: it was never actually a coin toss. It just felt like one because I hadn't done the work to tell the difference between my gut and my anxiety yet.

Hit reply and tell me: coin flip or spreadsheet, which one do you trust less right now?

Cheering you on,​
Angela
Castle Thunder Consulting
Bold strategy. Smart systems. More sanity.

PS: The coin is retired. It's in a drawer. It has done enough damage.

Steal This

Quick Tip:

Before your next big decision, ask yourself one question: "Can I point to a specific past experience or fact behind this feeling, or am I just scared?" If yes, that's instinct. If no, that's anxiety wearing instinct's jacket.

Action:

Next time you're stuck on a call, grab a sticky note. Write "DATA" on one side, "GUT" on the other. Force yourself to fill in facts on the data side first, no feelings allowed. Then flip it. If both sides agree, move. If they don't, that disagreement is the real story, dig into it before you decide.

In the Blog

Everyone's either "just a numbers person" or "just a gut person." Cute story. Neither one is actually running their business that way, whether they admit it or not.

This week's post breaks down exactly when to trust the spreadsheet, when to trust the feeling in your stomach, and the one question that tells you the difference between instinct and straight-up anxiety in disguise.

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SEE YOU TODAY?

Speaking of hard calls: today's Goochland Women in Business session is all about the conversations we'd rather flip a coin than have.

Tuesday, August 17th, 3:00 to 4:30 PM

Winery on the Ridge​
5061 Broad Street Road
Louisa, VA, 23093

Workplace conflict, tough feedback, boundary-setting, the client conversation you've been avoiding, all of it. Walk out with tools you can use by tomorrow morning.

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Castle Thunder Consulting

9962 Brook Road, #206, Glen Allen, VA 23059

Angela Edwards

Castle Thunder Consulting

Business Strategist • Small Business • Since 2007 Are you tired of feeling like your business is running you? I take business owners from being overwhelmed, overworked, and undervalued to being strategic, productive, and profitable. Many business owners are too busy working in their business to work on their business. They get bogged down with wearing many hats, trying to grow their business, and deliver their product. I show business owners how to avoid the pitfalls, ignite a spark, and let their sparkle shine through.

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