Podcast Summary: The $100 MBA Show

Episode: MBA2706 – How To Make Tough Decisions
Host: Omar Zenhom
Date: November 21, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Omar Zenhom provides a comprehensive guide on how to make tough decisions in both business and life. Drawing on over two decades of entrepreneurship, Omar shares practical frameworks, personal stories, and insights from leaders like Jeff Bezos and Steve Jobs. The episode offers actionable steps for listeners seeking clarity and confidence when facing significant choices.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Tough Decisions Are Tough

[02:00]

• Tough decisions involve uncertainty and consequences, leading to fear and discomfort.
  • “If you're deciding between two good options, you have fear of missing out. And if you're deciding between two bad options... you fear regret.” (Omar, 02:40)
• Emotional attachments and fear of how decisions reflect on us add complexity.

2. The Cost of Indecision

[04:00]

• Indecision often costs more than making the wrong decision, as most choices are reversible.
  • “Indecision costs more than the wrong decision in most cases... You can learn from that wrong decision and pivot.” (Omar, 04:25)

3. Jeff Bezos’ “Two Door Decisions”

[05:00]

• Most decisions are “two door decisions” — you can walk through and back out if needed.
  • “99% of decisions in life are two door decisions, meaning... you can correct.” (Omar referencing Bezos, 05:50)
• The rare “one door decisions” are irreversible; recognize which type you’re facing.

4. Three Filters for Big Decisions

[08:00] Omar shares three frameworks to apply to any major choice:

a) The Long-Term Filter

• Ask: Will this matter in 3, 5, or 10 years?
  • “Will this matter in three years, in five years, in ten years? Great question…” (Omar, 08:40)
• Personal example: Selling his software company, Webinar Ninja—decided based on long-term life goals over immediate fears.

b) The Energy Filter

• Does it energize or drain you?
  • “Does this give me energy or does it drain me?” (Omar, 12:00)
• He ended a profitable, but draining partnership:
  • “I could use this energy somewhere else. And that was one of the best business decisions I ever made…” (Omar, 13:10)

c) The Integrity Filter

• Will I be proud of this decision a year from now?
  • References Bezos’ “Regret Minimization Framework.”
  • “Can I explain this decision proudly a year from now?” (Omar, 15:10)
  • “Doing it and failing is not as bad as not doing it at all and not seeing what's going to happen…” (Omar, 16:00)

5. Lessons from Successful Leaders

[18:00]

• Steve Jobs: “Focus is about saying no to a thousand good ideas.”
  • “It’s easy to say no to things you don’t want to do. It’s hard to say no to things you like doing…” (Omar, 19:10)
• Sarah Blakely (Spanx): Turned down a major acquisition because future self wouldn’t be grateful, built a billion-dollar brand from zero.
• Elon Musk: Invested all his personal money to save Tesla, acting decisively out of conviction.

Common Themes
[20:00]

• Decisiveness, responsibility, and accepting ownership.

6. Omar’s Five-Step Framework for Tough Decisions

[21:00]

1. Write the Problem Down

   • “Don’t keep it in your head...” (Omar, 21:20)

2. List Real Options

   • Explore beyond A/B — consider middle paths.
   • “Maybe it's going part time first... quitting tomorrow... every option possible.” (Omar, 21:40)

3. Identify the Key Variable

   • What matters most? (Time, money, relationships, etc.)
   • “Be honest with yourself. That's what you want.” (Omar, 22:10)

4. Talk to One or Two Trusted People

   • Not everyone—avoid confusion and paralysis.
   • “Choose people who understand your values, not just your situation.” (Omar, 22:50)

5. Decide with a Deadline

   • Act, then commit for at least 90 days before reconsidering.
   • “Clarity comes from action.” (Omar, 23:25)

7. Real-Life Example: Selling Webinar Ninja

[24:00]

• Omar and Nicole sold their business after a decade, following all three filters.
  • “Deep down I knew we were ready for a new chapter... Was it easy? No. But once you decide, you have a sense of relief.” (Omar, 25:15)

8. Final Reflections on Uncertainty & Courage

[27:00]

• You can never eliminate all uncertainty—what matters is acting in line with your principles.
  • “You can't really soar if you're afraid to fly, right?” (Omar, 27:55)
• Change happens after you decide, not before.

9. Entrepreneurship: The Practice of Decision-Making

[29:00]

• Entrepreneurs get better at tough decisions by making them often.
  • “You become more and more in tuned with your decision making intuition…” (Omar, 29:40)
• Over time, smaller decisions become easier, and entrepreneurs gain a big advantage.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the discomfort of decision-making:
  • “What really makes decisions hard isn't the options. It's actually the emotions behind the options.” (Omar, 03:20)
• On acting over agonizing:
  • “Not deciding actually keeps you stuck. Deciding actually helps you move forward, even if you have to adjust later.” (Omar, 06:30)
• On energy as a filter:
  • “If one side of the decision gives you excitement, curiosity, that is a signal to a yes... tension and dread, that's a no.” (Omar, 12:20)
• On accepting regret:
  • “Regret is a very powerful thing. And if you've lived life a little bit... you have some regrets, right? And you wish you did something different.” (Omar, 15:50)
• On entrepreneurship as a growth tool:
  • “You get to exercise a muscle that a lot of people don't get to exercise as often as you do. And that is decision making.” (Omar, 29:15)

Key Timestamps

• [02:00] – Why Tough Decisions Are Hard
• [05:00] – Jeff Bezos’ “Two Door Decisions” Concept
• [08:00] – Three Filters for Decision-Making
• [18:00] – Examples from Steve Jobs, Sarah Blakely, Elon Musk
• [21:00] – Omar's Five-Step Decision-Making System
• [24:00] – Personal Example: Selling Webinar Ninja
• [27:00] – Wisdom on Uncertainty & Taking Action
• [29:00] – The Entrepreneurial Advantage of Practiced Decision-Making

Summary

Omar Zenhom’s episode offers a practical manual for making tough decisions, blending personal anecdotes, learnings from iconic entrepreneurs, and step-by-step frameworks. The key takeaway is that clarity and progress come through action, not endless deliberation, and that emotional awareness and honesty are vital for wise choices. Decision-making is a muscle—one that entrepreneurs must flex regularly for business and personal growth.