How to Think Fast, Decide Smart, and Adapt Constantly — The Power of the OODA Loop

In business and in life, the people who win aren’t always the smartest or the best resourced.

They’re the ones who can think fast, adjust quickly, and act before others do.

Enter the OODA Loop—one of the most powerful decision-making frameworks you’re probably not using yet.

Today at Myford University, we’re breaking it down. What it is, why it matters, and how to use it to make high-quality decisions in a fast-changing world.

What Is the OODA Loop?

The OODA Loop is a four-step cycle designed for real-time decision-making:

• Observe
• Orient
• Decide
• Act

Originally developed by Col. John Boyd, a U.S. Air Force pilot, it was built for high-speed dogfights—but it’s been adopted everywhere from military strategy to boardrooms, startups, and even coaching sessions.

Why? Because it works when things move fast and change often.

And in case you haven’t noticed, that’s the world we all live in now.

Why You Need It

Let’s face it—most traditional decision-making models are too slow for today’s environment.

You don’t have six weeks to gather perfect data.
You can’t afford to freeze while competitors move.
And waiting until you’re “sure”? That’s just another way to lose.

The OODA Loop helps you:

• Spot what’s happening in real time
• Make sense of it
• Choose your next move
• Take action—and improve with every cycle

It’s not about being perfect. It’s about staying fast, flexible, and focused.

How It Works — Step by Step

1. Observe

What’s going on? What’s changed? What signals are you getting?

Look at the market. Your team. Your customers. Your competition. Yourself.

The goal is to see clearly and avoid both data overload and blind spots.

Tip: Don’t just watch the scoreboard—watch the trends.

2. Orient

This is the most underrated—and most important—step.

You need to interpret what you’re seeing. That means filtering through your experience, mental models, and assumptions.

And yes—those can betray you.

So check your biases. Challenge your beliefs. Adjust to reality, not what you wish it was.

Tip: In a changing environment, your thinking must evolve faster than your circumstances.

3. Decide

Now it’s time to choose a course of action.

Don’t wait for perfect. Choose something “directionally correct” and be ready to adjust.

The longer you hesitate, the more opportunity you lose.

Tip: Make small, fast decisions that give you feedback quickly.

4. Act

Execute.

This is where ideas meet reality.

Your actions will generate results—and new data for the next loop.

The key? Follow through, and build in mechanisms to learn from what happens.

Tip: Act decisively, but never permanently. Be ready to pivot.

The Loop Keeps Going

The beauty of OODA is that it’s a loop, not a one-time decision.

After you act, you loop back to observe the results.
Then you re-orient based on what you learned.
Then you decide again.
Then you act again.

Each time through, you get faster, sharper, and more in control.

That’s how you build decision-making momentum.

Real Example: Using the OODA Loop in Business

Let’s say you’re running a service business and leads have slowed.

• Observe: You notice lower email open rates and fewer inquiries.
• Orient: You realize your messaging hasn’t changed in a year, and competitors are niching down.
• Decide: You shift your positioning to target a specific audience—let’s say tech professionals in transition.
• Act: You test a new landing page and LinkedIn campaign tailored to that audience.

Then what?
You observe how the new audience responds, re-orient, refine your offer, and go again.

That’s OODA. In action.

Why This Matters More Than Ever

We’re not going back to the “predictable” world anytime soon.

Everything from technology to customer behavior to the economy moves too fast.

You can’t just think like an analyst. You have to think like a strategist—and move like a fighter pilot.

The OODA Loop isn’t just a framework. It’s a mindset.

• Stay alert
• Challenge assumptions
• Decide quickly
• Act with confidence
• Learn constantly

Bottom line:

In a world full of noise, confusion, and speed—you win by deciding faster and smarter.

That’s what the OODA Loop is for.

And that’s what we teach at Myford University.

Want to read the full article? Find it here.