The Art of Decision Making: Finding Clarity in Chaos

In a world brimming with choices, each decision we make can feel like a ripple effect, impacting our lives in significant ways. From choosing what to have for breakfast to making life-altering decisions, the process can often be overwhelming. However, what if there were tools to help us navigate through the labyrinth of choices with ease and confidence? This is where decision-making models come into play, acting as guiding stars in the dark sky of uncertainty.

Simplifying Decision Making with Models

Decision making models are structured frameworks that provide a systematic approach to making choices. By breaking down complex decisions into manageable steps, these models offer a roadmap to clarify our thoughts and intentions. One of the most popular decision-making models is the Pros and Cons approach, where individuals list down the positive and negative aspects of a decision to evaluate its implications. Sometimes this isn't enough though. I developed this chart because I wanted to empower my clients to project into their futures through various routes so they can make the best decision possible.

Weighing Out Risks, Rewards, Regrets, and Resentments

Decisions are not merely about the outcomes but also about understanding the underlying factors which influence our choices. When faced with a decision, weighing out the potential risks, rewards, regrets, and resentments is an important exercise. It allows us to go deeper, examining not only the immediate benefits but also the potential long-term consequences of our actions.

Walking Through the Chart

When I sit down with a client who is stuck making a decision, frequently I hear two choices presenting. These choices are typically all-or-nothing. "Either I keep things exactly the same, or I leave everything completely." It's extremely rare that there are only two choices within our decisions. We usually have at least one in-between choice which allows us a compromise between the two extremes. The statement, "either I have coffee in the morning, or I have nothing," can transform into a variety of choices. Maybe I can have tea, do a green drink, or have a cup of decaf. What could be the potential risks, rewards, regrets or resentments for each of these options? looking at the risks, rewards, regrets and resentments written out on paper can simplify our choices.

Decision Paralysis: What's Happening in the Brain

Clarity is the ultimate gift that decision-making models bestow upon us. It can be paralyzing to make a decision when we feel like our choices are limited and the risks are high. Using a model where we can see, in our own words, the benefits or draw-backs of our options can allow us the mental space to take a step forward. When we feel trapped, we are activating our hindbrain (the fight/flight part of the brain) and we inhibit our ability to activate our prefrontal cortex (the logic, reason, language and meaning making part of the brain). This is why decision-making can sometimes feel impossible.

Work Smarter, Not Harder

When something feels unsettled, our brain continues to process in the background, trying to make resolution. This back-processing is called the Zeigarnik effect. So even when you're not actively weighing out your options, your brain is still hard at work. In the worst case scenarios, we expend that conscious brain energy ruminating about the options and build anxiety the longer we prolong our decision. Try pulling out this sheet next time and empower yourself to make the decision quicker and with less effort. And remember, most decisions aren't final.

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