So it makes sense that big, higher-risk decisions can cause serious stress in your life.
Thankfully, there are certain exercises that help you through the decision-making process.
Its hard to break free of your emotions, but it helps to know they affect your choices.
This only works in certain circumstances.
It certainly takes a bit of mental gymnastics, but its worth it to at least try.
However, at some point, you reach a point where you havetoomuch information.
Its one of those dumb tricks our brains pull on us thats hard to counteract.
Uncertainty implies volatility, randomness, and danger.
When we notice information is missing, our brain raises a metaphorical red flag and says, Pay attention.
This could be important…
When data is missing, we overestimate its value.
Our mind assumes that since we are expending resources locating information, it must be useful.
This information comes in all forms.
Cutting some of that out helped.
Instead of talking with a bunch of friends, I kept it to just a few I really trust.
The other big realization I had with both bigger and smaller choices was thatmy decision was always reversible.
With a lot of our decisions, we put more weight on them than theyre worth.
If it sucks, you move again.
Now, imagine yourself as if youd already made that choice and youre living with that decision.
Then, when I weighed my choices, I had a few options Id never even considered.
Challenge your fundamental assumptions by reversing them.
Write down the opposite of each assumption.
Ask yourself how to accomplish each reversal.
List as many useful viewpoints as you’re able to.
The end result is a new viewpoint you might not have considered otherwise.
it’s possible for you to make a spreadsheet as simple or as complicated as you like.
This story was originally published on 8/1/13 and was updated on 10/14/19 to provide more thorough and current information.
