Decision making

I have decided to try and learn as much as I can about decision making for the month of January. 

When I think about all the mistakes I have made in the past, it comes down to some bad decisions. The very good things in the past also came down to decisions. Though there are many things that influence decisions, I have come to realize that I want to get good and systematic about my decisions. 

So towards learning and being deliberate about my decisions, here are a few things I have learnt so far:

1) Make sure that you understand the problem/situation that needs to a decision. A lot of times, the issue is completely forgotten in the process and the decisions ends up addressing something that isn't the core problem. 

2) List out all the possible decisions/solutions that can help address the problem. For this step, it is best to pretend like you are advising a friend or close family member. That helps too see this more objectively and leads to creative options. 

3) Identify if there is a definitive course of action from the decision that can be defined by an if-then-else type scenario. Try to have a probability assigned to these sets of actions. 

These 3 steps are the core of what I have come across so far. For each, I am coming up with questions that can make the work easier. Though this feels like a lot of work, it seems like it helps to be logical about what to do and reduce bias. Maybe the key to decision making it about not rushing while making decisions that have lasting impact. 

I think #1 is so important. Often good decision making is more about spending time in #1 -- figuring out the context -- more so than the decision itself.  
2021-01-05 03:07:59
Yes I agree with that. It is both understanding the problem and also knowing yourself and your biases in how you make decisions. The goal being to try to be as objective as possible. I like the idea of thinking of advising others for that reason. I know I am better at helping others than I am making good decisions for myself. 
2021-01-05 22:53:48
I remember you sharing this strategy of taking advice that you would give to others on 200WAD. I think it's a fantastic strategy because when it comes to taking advice for ourselves we often try to treat ourselves like exceptions to the norm. When we advise others we often are able to be more objective and see them and their situation for what they are rather than trying to see them as such outliers exempt from the norm.
2021-01-06 00:10:26
BTW I still struggle to do this for myself. gotta work on this going foward
2021-01-06 00:10:45
Yeah I struggle with it too. It is an effort to remember to do that but it really helps. 

2021-01-06 00:41:39
You know how ppl have WWJD? What Would Jesus Do?

how about for me, when confronting a tough decision I question WSKD What Should Keni Do?

And you can think WSAD What Should Abe Do?
2021-01-06 01:07:09
Lol - funny Sir Abe. 
I actually just finished reading a book titled Alter Ego that says that thinking about - What would 'your fav alter ego' do? - is a great way to push past your current limitations. I think me and you think a lot alike already though. 
2021-01-07 01:08:23

Mastery