Post by The Dan on Sept 4, 2015 8:49:41 GMT 12
What happens when we make a decision?
- we evaluate a situation and predict the outcomes
- we narrow down the different factors - variables - until we are able to make a binary yes/no decision
- different levels of conscious awareness play a part. There is a spectrum, from highly unconscious reactions (e.g. jumping out the way of a bus) through to highly conscious planning (e.g. deciding how to start your business).
- there is a spectrum of certainty which affects speed of action - the more certain we feel, the quicker we decide, so the quicker we act
- it's about levels of expected pain and pleasure
- the amount of options increases the difficulty of the decision
- weigh up pros vs cons
What makes decision-making difficult?
- too many perceived variables - adds extra decisions to the original decision
- emotional attachment to an outcome/result - focus on external benefits
- the illusion of risk - thinking that a decision is "bigger" than any other decision (when in fact they could all equally impact your life and you will never know until the decision is made)
- biases based on expectations
- the illusion that there is such a thing as a "good" or "bad" decision
- trying to backwards-rationalise and justify a decision you've actually already made emotionally, rather than just acting on it
How does decision-making relate to confidence?
- it's not about the outcome of the decision, it's about making the decision itself. Decision-making feels powerful, whereas procrastination and half-measures increase uncertainty, doubt etc. leading to less confidence
- when decision-making is based on external outcomes, the results will determine your confidence, whereas when the decisions are based on VALUES, just making the decision will make you more confident
- insecurity increases the potential options, making you delay decision-making until all the options disappear over time, leaving you feeling helpless and powerless. Confident decision-making is about choosing to eliminate options as quickly as possible, by making a decision based on a singular value and choosing to live with the consequences
- making a decision firmly eliminates "What if?" and regret, regardless of outcomes
What is Hell Yeah v Hell No decision making?
- it's about being all in or all out, nothing in-between. There are no mediocre, half-hearted decisions. You either commit to your next action with everything you've got, or you quit completely - both options are OK
- you make the decision based on values rather than outcomes. For example, if I'm trying to decide whether or not to approach an attractive girl, outcome-focus would make me question how she'll react, whereas value-focus will simply ask whether or not this is the RIGHT thing for me to do to have integrity (i.e. I do it to build courage, not to get a phone number)
- it's through this process that we learn what our values truly are
- the more powerful decisions you make, the more experience with the unknown you will have, making you start to believe you can handle anything. Once you believe this, no one can ever rock your boat again, you will be the master of the universe
- make decisions with the belief that you have nothing to lose, because you are living by your values so results don't matter - you really do have nothing to lose
- understand that your most precious resources are time and focus, and fast decision-making increases both of these resources, while slow decision-making eats them up. The longer you take to make a decision, the less chance you'll have to reverse it if it's not the right way forward. It's better to quickly make a mistake than slowly eliminate all options forever
Simple strategy:
Choose a value to live by each day, and then ask yourself "What would it mean to live by [value] right now?" before making decisions.
Resources
The difference between values and virtues/goals/outcomes
What your brain is doing when you make decisions
Why you should listen to your guilt
- we evaluate a situation and predict the outcomes
- we narrow down the different factors - variables - until we are able to make a binary yes/no decision
- different levels of conscious awareness play a part. There is a spectrum, from highly unconscious reactions (e.g. jumping out the way of a bus) through to highly conscious planning (e.g. deciding how to start your business).
- there is a spectrum of certainty which affects speed of action - the more certain we feel, the quicker we decide, so the quicker we act
- it's about levels of expected pain and pleasure
- the amount of options increases the difficulty of the decision
- weigh up pros vs cons
What makes decision-making difficult?
- too many perceived variables - adds extra decisions to the original decision
- emotional attachment to an outcome/result - focus on external benefits
- the illusion of risk - thinking that a decision is "bigger" than any other decision (when in fact they could all equally impact your life and you will never know until the decision is made)
- biases based on expectations
- the illusion that there is such a thing as a "good" or "bad" decision
- trying to backwards-rationalise and justify a decision you've actually already made emotionally, rather than just acting on it
How does decision-making relate to confidence?
- it's not about the outcome of the decision, it's about making the decision itself. Decision-making feels powerful, whereas procrastination and half-measures increase uncertainty, doubt etc. leading to less confidence
- when decision-making is based on external outcomes, the results will determine your confidence, whereas when the decisions are based on VALUES, just making the decision will make you more confident
- insecurity increases the potential options, making you delay decision-making until all the options disappear over time, leaving you feeling helpless and powerless. Confident decision-making is about choosing to eliminate options as quickly as possible, by making a decision based on a singular value and choosing to live with the consequences
- making a decision firmly eliminates "What if?" and regret, regardless of outcomes
What is Hell Yeah v Hell No decision making?
- it's about being all in or all out, nothing in-between. There are no mediocre, half-hearted decisions. You either commit to your next action with everything you've got, or you quit completely - both options are OK
- you make the decision based on values rather than outcomes. For example, if I'm trying to decide whether or not to approach an attractive girl, outcome-focus would make me question how she'll react, whereas value-focus will simply ask whether or not this is the RIGHT thing for me to do to have integrity (i.e. I do it to build courage, not to get a phone number)
- it's through this process that we learn what our values truly are
- the more powerful decisions you make, the more experience with the unknown you will have, making you start to believe you can handle anything. Once you believe this, no one can ever rock your boat again, you will be the master of the universe
- make decisions with the belief that you have nothing to lose, because you are living by your values so results don't matter - you really do have nothing to lose
- understand that your most precious resources are time and focus, and fast decision-making increases both of these resources, while slow decision-making eats them up. The longer you take to make a decision, the less chance you'll have to reverse it if it's not the right way forward. It's better to quickly make a mistake than slowly eliminate all options forever
Simple strategy:
Choose a value to live by each day, and then ask yourself "What would it mean to live by [value] right now?" before making decisions.
Resources
The difference between values and virtues/goals/outcomes
What your brain is doing when you make decisions
Why you should listen to your guilt