The JOY Decision Framework: Your Path to Clarity and Confidence

You’re a high-achieving leader with fierce determination. The downside? Decision fatigue is likely a daily struggle. It’s not just about making big decisions — it’s the relentless cycle of small decisions.

The ones that should be so simple yet can overwhelm you:

• Should I say yes to this meeting or send someone in my place?
• Should I push back on this request or will that reflect poorly on my ability to be a team player?
• Should I take on this new project even though my plate is full or be honored that I was asked and just make room for it?
• Should I speak up in this leadership discussion or is what I’m about to say really dumb?

Good Lord, it’s no wonder you feel exhausted. When every decision feels like a mental tug of war, it drains you not only of your time but your energy and confidence. Day after day, week after week, this constant barrage can make you second-guess yourself and operate on defense, responding to demands rather than leading from a place of authority.

But what if decision making didn’t have to feel like this?

Introducing the JOY Decision Framework

The JOY Decision Framework is designed to cut through the noise, eliminate doubt, and help you trust yourself in every decision, big or small.

Instead of making decisions based on obligation, people-pleasing, or fear of missing out, this framework guides you to make choices that align with:

✅ Your Values – Does this decision honor what truly matters to you, or are you sacrificing part of your values/beliefs/etc?
✅ Your Goals – Does this move you toward your bigger vision, or is it just keeping you “busy”?
✅ Your Energy – Does this fuel you, or does it deplete you?

When you run a decision through these three filters, clarity follows.

How to Use the JOY Decision Framework in Real Life

1. Pause and Check Your Values

Before saying “yes” or “no,” ask yourself:
👉 Does this align with who I am and what I stand for?

Example: If one of your core values is family, but you’re considering taking on another after-hours commitment, you should pause and check: Am I honoring my value, or am I defaulting to an old habit of overworking?

2. Align with Your Goals

👉 Does this decision bring me closer to what I want to achieve? Or is it just keeping me busy?

High-achieving women often fall into the trap of saying yes to everything because they can do it. But just because you can doesn’t mean you should. If a new opportunity doesn’t serve your long-term goals, it might not be the right move.

Example: If your goal is to step into an executive role, but you’re being asked to lead yet another internal project that won’t elevate your visibility, is it really worth it?

3. Assess Your Energy

👉 Does this decision energize me, or does it drain me?

We often ignore how decisions feel in our bodies. But your energy is a powerful indicator. If the thought of something makes you tense, exhausted, or resentful, it’s worth reconsidering.

Example: If your calendar is packed with back-to-back meetings, and you’re invited to another “optional” call, check in with yourself. If it’s a forced yes, it’s likely a no.

What’s the Real Power? You Start Trusting Yourself

The beauty of the JOY Decision Framework isn’t just making better choices — it’s that over time, you build more trust in yourself. Instead of second-guessing, you gain confidence in your ability to lead with intention.

No more:
🚫 Saying yes out of guilt
🚫 Overcommitting to things that don’t serve you
🚫 Feeling stuck in reactive mode 
🚫Being afraid to speak up

Instead, you start making choices that fuel your joy, impact, and leadership.

Yes, please!

So, the next time you face a decision — whether it’s accepting an opportunity, setting a boundary, or making a career move — you should take a pause.

Run it through the JOY Decision Framework:

✅ Values – Does this align with what truly matters?
✅ Goals – Does this move me toward my vision?
✅ Energy – Does this fuel rather than deplete me?

If the answer isn’t a clear yes, perhaps it’s time to say no.

Like my dear friend Margarete says, “If it’s not a hell, yes, then it’s a hell, no!”

Because the more aligned your decisions are, the more joy and success you create not just for yourself, but for everyone around you.

If you’re ready to make faster, easier decisions, grab my free Level-Up with JOY resource! You’ll get practical tools to filter out what aligns with you—so every step you take feels like progress. 💫