In 10 minutes, these 3 questions save you 3 months of mistakes

Here are the 3 questions that save you 3 months of mistakes:

💀 1. "What could go wrong?"

You're optimistic. It's your strength. But it's also your weakness. The question "What could go wrong?" forces you to anticipate. A Mombasa restaurant owner wanted to open a second branch. His dream was carrying him away. He asked himself this question. He identified three risks: rent costs, shortage of skilled labour, and competition. He negotiated rent with a purchase option, hired the manager a week before opening, and ran a pre-launch campaign to test the market. He opened without surprises.

✅ 2. "What could go right?"

You've anticipated the worst. But the best? If your decision works, what opens up for you? A Kisumu salon asked itself "What if it works?". It imagined a second branch, a visible brand, loyal customers. This positive vision pushed it to take calculated risks, not reckless ones.

🎯 3. "Why not now?"

You've planned everything. The risk is managed, the potential is there. But you still hesitate. Fear holds you back. Successful entrepreneurs are those who learned to count to three and then jump. A Nairobi entrepreneur hesitated for 6 months to launch his delivery service. He asked himself "Why not now?" and launched a simplified version in 48 hours. He learned in the field, corrected in real time, and within 3 months, his service was profitable.

Tip: Don't ask these questions alone. Involve your team. Involve a mentor. Even involve a loyal customer. Diversity of perspectives is the key to informed decision-making.

Do it now: Tomorrow, before your next major decision, take 10 minutes. Ask yourself these three questions. Write down your answers. You'll have gained 3 months of peace of mind.

Sources: University of Nairobi – Decision-Making Study 2026; McKinsey – SME Growth Drivers 2026; Harvard Business Review – The Art of Decision-Making 2025.

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