How to Make a Decision: 3 Techniques

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How we make decisions - emotions vs. logic

Research confirms that damage to the area of the brain responsible for emotions leads to significant indecision in everyday life. Neurologist Antonio Damasio, in his book "Descartes' Error," describes the case of a patient named Elliot, who, after surgery to remove a tumor along with certain areas of his brain, began to experience difficulty making even the simplest decisions. These observations highlight the important role of emotion in decision-making and its impact on quality of life.

After the surgery, Elliot lost his ability to feel emotions about things that previously motivated him. Although his intelligence, memory, and learning ability remained intact, he began to struggle with simple decisions, especially organizational ones. For example, he might spend an entire day pondering how to organize documents: by date, size, or some other criterion. He would eventually manage the task, but it took a significant amount of time and effort.

Don't assume that emotional decisions are always unsuccessful. In some situations, choosing based on intuition may be the best option. Psychologists argue that intuition is formed by our life experiences, including emotional ones, and is not a simple "gut feeling." Therefore, it is important to trust your feelings and recognize that emotional experience can serve as a valuable guide in decision making. All our decisions, including choosing music services, have an emotional component and are often made unconsciously. We may think we choose a service because of its favorable price or user-friendly interface. However, in reality, our choice may be influenced by a friend's recommendation or a flashy advertising campaign featuring our favorite celebrity. Even careful analysis of the streaming service market may not play a major role in decision making if emotions and associations have a stronger influence. This underscores the importance of emotional perception in the choice process, which should be taken into account when developing marketing and advertising strategies.

What else gets in the way of making choices?

Beliefs play a significant role in our lives. They can range from the innocuous, such as preferring coffee with cream, to more serious beliefs that can distort our perception of reality, such as the idea that we must obey our parents unquestioningly. These beliefs shape our behavior and influence our decision-making, as well as our interactions with others. Understanding and rethinking your beliefs can help improve your quality of life and create more harmonious relationships with yourself and others.

Our choices are also influenced by cognitive biases, which make it difficult to objectively analyze and evaluate available options. For example, the anchoring effect can lead us to make decisions based on the first information we encounter, often leading to erroneous conclusions. Understanding these biases can help improve decision-making and avoid being influenced by irrelevant factors.

An example is when we make a purchase because of a temporary price reduction offered by a retailer during a promotion or Black Friday. We focus on the original price and the fact that it's now lower, leading us to make a purchase decision without checking the prices of similar items at other stores. This can lead us to miss out on opportunities to find a better deal.

The halo effect can mislead us, leading us to choose objects or services based on a positive first impression. This cognitive bias influences our perceptions and can lead to poor decisions. It's important to understand how the halo effect shapes our preferences so we can make more informed and rational choices.

Photo: DimaBerlin / Shutterstock

Choosing can be challenging for several reasons. First, there are many alternatives, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. This creates uncertainty and makes decision-making difficult. Second, the fear of making the wrong choice or missing out on a better option can also be a hindrance. In addition, a lack of information about the possibilities or consequences of a choice can lead to doubts and hesitation. Finally, the influence of others' opinions and social norms can complicate the choice process, forcing us to doubt our own preferences.

This process is tiring, as it depletes cognitive resources.
There is always risk. After all, predicting its consequences is almost impossible.
Some are paralyzed by the fear of making a mistake. They even have a hard time choosing food: what if it tastes bad? What to say about making life-changing decisions: will I regret this for the rest of my life?
Fear of responsibility. Typically, this is experienced by people who are accustomed to having someone else make decisions for them (for example, parents or a spouse), or who were criticized and judged as children.
A large choice is frightening. The more options there are, the more likely a person is to experience FOMO - the fear of missing out.

How to Make a Decision: Techniques

Let's look at three key techniques.

René Descartes is a famous French philosopher, engineer, and mathematician. His method, known as the "square," is based on four key questions that help structure his thinking and analyze problems. This approach has become the basis for many philosophical and scientific studies, promoting the development of rational thinking and critical analysis. Descartes has had a significant influence on philosophy, mathematics, and the natural sciences, and his ideas continue to be relevant in the modern world.

What will happen if this happens?
What will happen if this doesn't happen?
What won't happen if this happens?
What won't happen if this doesn't happen?

Answer all four questions in writing. After analyzing your answers, you may realize that many of your fears may be unfounded. At the same time, you realize that you are willing to take risks because the consequences of not taking action may be too serious. Consider your fears and options to make an informed choice.

Create a table with different options in columns and evaluation criteria in rows. Assign a level of importance to each criterion, and then evaluate each option against the specified criteria. This will help you structure the information and make an informed choice. This approach allows you to more effectively compare alternatives and identify the most suitable solutions based on objective data.

When choosing a course, it's important to consider several key factors to make the right choice. Start by compiling a list of criteria that are important to you and rank them. For example, if price is important to you at a level of 6 out of 10, this means you're willing to consider programs up to 50,000 rubles, but only if your other requirements are met. However, you might give the highest rating of 10 out of 10 to criteria such as reputable instructors and the ability to receive feedback on completed assignments. This approach will help you clearly prioritize and choose the course that best suits your needs.

Rate all selected courses against the specified criteria. This will help you make an informed choice and select the most suitable options for your education. Pay attention to the quality of the materials, the level of instructors, student reviews, and the practical focus of the courses. This approach will ensure you get the most out of your training and help you achieve your goals.

Source: Skillbox Media

This technique is simple and doesn't require much effort. Try to visualize yourself in the future, considering every possible solution. This approach will allow you to better understand the consequences of your decisions and choose the most appropriate path. Visualizing the future helps develop strategic thinking and confidence in your actions.

What results and consequences do you expect?
Identify the worst-case scenario for each option and understand whether you can prepare for it.

An interesting and useful approach is to imagine your path to your goal in reverse. For example, if your goal is to attend a prestigious university and graduate, think about the necessary steps to achieve this. This method will help you understand the scale of your decision, its impact on your life, and anticipate potential difficulties. Reverse planning allows you to see a clearer picture and prepare for all the steps on the path to success.

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Modern realities require us to effectively set goals and plan our time. Using specialized tools can significantly simplify this process. Let's consider three useful goal-setting and planning tools that will help you organize your life and achieve your desired results.

The first tool is digital task planning apps. Many of them offer features that allow you to set priorities, track progress, and remind you of deadlines. Apps like Todoist or Trello help you visualize tasks and divide them into subtasks, making the process more manageable.

The second tool is the SMART method, which helps formulate goals more clearly and concretely. SMART implies that goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Using this method allows you to avoid vagueness and focus on the result.

The third tool is keeping a diary or journal. Writing down your goals and plans not only helps you clarify your thoughts but also tracks your progress. Regularly reviewing your records allows you to evaluate your achievements and adjust your actions if necessary.

Using these tools, you will be able to set goals and plan your time more effectively, which will ultimately lead to increased productivity and achievement of your goals.

To make an important decision, consider a few practical tips. First, carefully analyze all available options and their consequences. The second step is to evaluate your priorities and goals to determine which option best suits your interests. It is also helpful to discuss your decision with trusted people who can offer a fresh perspective. Don't forget about time factors: sometimes it is worth waiting before making a final decision. It is also important to consider the emotional component, as it can significantly influence your choice. Ultimately, follow your inner voice and intuition to make an informed choice.

Narrow your choices to two or three options, if possible.
Set a time frame. The more you think about a choice and analyze the consequences, the harder it is to make it.
Don't leave yourself any escape routes. There are studies that show that it is the presence of a backup plan that pushes a person to weigh and think over all the options for a long time.
Consult with someone who has faced a choice similar to yours.
Keep in mind that inaction is also a choice, but it may turn out to be the worst of all possible.

How to Make a Decision: 3 Techniques

Contents:

How we make decisions - emotions vs. logic

What else gets in the way of making choices?

How to Make a Decision: Techniques