Laying The Groundwork:
Laying The Groundwork:
How to Prepare for Great Decisions
Be Prepared
Great decisions don’t happen by accident. They’re built on smart prep. Whether you’re deciding what to eat or making a career move, it starts with the right foundation. Let’s break down the essentials: asking the right questions, gathering info, aligning with your values, and being mentally fit to make the call.
Ask the Right Questions
Before any decision, clarity is key. The best way to get clear is by asking the right questions. Start with: What am I trying to achieve? Once you define the goal, the path becomes easier to navigate.
Is the goal clear? If your objective is vague, you’re setting yourself up for second-guessing. Nail down the specifics before moving forward.
What does success look like? Picture the ideal outcome. A clear vision of success helps you measure progress and stay on track.
What’s driving this decision? Why are you doing this? Understanding the "why" behind the decision helps identify the problem you're solving. Without clarity, you risk fixing the wrong issue. Focus on the core problem to avoid distractions.
By asking focused, purposeful questions, you strip away distractions and give yourself the best chance of reaching a confident decision.
Gather Information
Great decisions rely on solid information. But it’s not just about collecting data—it’s about asking the right questions to get what you need. Start by identifying the key facts required to move forward.
What do you need to know? Focus on long-term results and the information that directly impacts the decision. Example: If you're buying a car, prioritize reliability and cost of ownership over short-term features like color.
Where can you find it? Instead of asking experts to solve the problem, ask how they would approach it and what information they would seek. This helps you gather key insights without inheriting their biases.
Are you asking the right questions? Make sure your inquiries are specific. Example: Instead of asking, “Is this product good?” ask, “How will this product improve my workflow?”
Efficient information gathering is about targeting what matters most, filtering out the noise, and ensuring you have what you need to make an informed call. Stop when you have enough to make a decision confidently—don’t wait for perfect information that may never come.
When to Stop Information Gathering
For big decisions, the temptation to keep searching for more information can be overwhelming, but it’s essential to know when to stop. A few rules of thumb:
Stop when further delay would limit your options.
Stop when new information would need to be extremely negative to change your mind.
Weigh the probabilities and trigger the decision once you've reached a certain threshold of certainty.
Avoid "analysis paralysis" and keep moving.
Aligning with Your Purpose and Values
The best decisions align with who you are and what truly matters to you. If a choice doesn’t sit right ethically, it’s not an option—period.
Does it feel right? If it even slightly feels off or conflicts with your core beliefs, walk away. If it smells fishy, it’s not worth the risk.
Will this move you closer to your long-term goals? Every decision should push you toward your bigger purpose. If it derails you, reconsider.
Aligning decisions with your purpose makes sure you're moving toward meaningful goals, not just chasing quick wins or avoiding discomfort. Position yourself for the long term.
Be Fit to Decide
You can have all the right information, but if you're not in the right mental or emotional state, your decision can suffer. Don’t make decisions in HASTE. The H.A.S.T.E. rule: You're not fit to decide if you're Hungry, Angry, Stressed, Tired, or Excited.
Hungry: If your body is low on fuel, your brain will be too. Eat something before making any big call.
Angry: Anger clouds judgment and narrows your focus. Wait until you’ve calmed down to ensure you’re thinking clearly.
Stressed: Stress leads to impulsive decisions. Recognize when you're overwhelmed and take a break to avoid rushing into something you'll regret.
Tired: Fatigue dulls your ability to weigh options. Sleep on it if necessary, and make sure you're rested before deciding.
Excited: Excitement can be just as dangerous as stress—don’t let it sweep you into hasty decisions. Pause, reflect, and make sure your judgment is sound.
By using the H.A.S.T.E. rule, you ensure that your decisions are made with a clear mind and balanced emotions, instead of reacting to your immediate state.
Rules of Thumb for Low-Impact Choices
Not every decision requires deep thinking. For every day, low-impact choices, having simple rules of thumb can save time and mental energy while improving your odds of making good decisions. The key is to pre-commit to choices that align with your goals, making follow-through easier and defensible if questioned.
Set clear limits. Example: "Only one dessert a week." This removes the need for daily decisions about sweets and keeps you on track with your health goals.
Simplify spending. Example: "No impulse buys over $50." This prevents financial stress and forces you to think before making bigger purchases.
Streamline routines. Example: "Exercise for at least 15 minutes every morning." By making it a non-negotiable part of your day, you cut out the decision fatigue around when or how much to exercise.
Focus on relationships. Example: "Call one family member every weekend." This keeps you connected without needing to plan out every interaction.
These rules of thumb are designed to make your decision-making easier and more reliable, boosting the odds that you’ll consistently make choices that align with your broader goals.
Great decisions don’t happen by chance—they’re the result of preparation, clarity, and alignment with your values. By asking the right questions, gathering essential information, and ensuring you're mentally fit to decide, you lay the groundwork for success. Implement simple rules of thumb for everyday choices and stay committed to decisions that serve your long-term goals.
When you're prepared and equipped with the right mindset, you’re in the best position to make decisions you can confidently stand by.
That’s My Perspective