Intro
The best way to improve your decision making is to keep a journal of your past decisions and how they turned out. Without one you'll just keep making the same mistakes. Here is a template that I've built for myself over the years, feel free to take it, keep the parts that are useful and discard the ones that aren't.
Template
Mood:
Record your mode and think through any biases it may be creating. Common moods can be things like:
- Tired
- Confident
- Angry
- Resigned
- Frustrated
- Anxious
- Lost / Confused
Problem / Context :
As clearly as possible provide context on the decision that you are making. This should be a single sentence.
Factors:
Define the set of variables that need to be considered while making a decision. This can be things like relationships, dates, money, risks, rewards.
Not all factors are equal so identify the ones most important in determining your desired outcome.
Decision:
Articulate what you're decision is.
Reversibility?
If you made a bad decision is it reversible? If possible come up with a plan/process to reverse it.
Alternatives:
Describe alternatives explored and why they weren't choose.
Predictions:
Make prediction(s) about future outcomes or externalities that will come from this decision.
Retrospective:
After sufficient time as passed review the decision. What were the outcomes? Were the predictions accurate?
Opportunities to Improve:
If you could make this decision over again would you do it all the same?
Were there missed Factors that should have been considered?
Did an alternative deserve more consideration?
Did your mood create biases or blind spots?
When you make a big decision
