how do you make decisions?

Shane Parrish advocates for a structured and methodical approach to making decisions. Here are some key strategies he discusses:

1. Avoid Emotional Decisions: Shane emphasizes that emotions can cloud judgment, particularly during crises or panic situations. He advises slowing down and taking the time to think things through, almost like in "slow motion" 1.

2. Use a Full Toolbox of Techniques: Shane, drawing from Scott Adams' insights, suggests having a variety of decision-making tools. Techniques include comparing options, recognizing the significance of coincidences, and distinguishing between short-term and long-term thinking 2.

3. Five-Step Decision-Making Process: Shane outlines a basic but effective five-step process for decision making:

   • Define the problem
   • Explore possible solutions
   • Evaluate the options
   • Make the judgment
   • Execute the best option

   He emphasizes the importance of defining the problem yourself and verifying that it’s the actual problem needing a solution. This process helps in avoiding reliance on willpower or default modes 3 4.

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     1

     Making Decisions

     00:44:36
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     2

     Decision Making Tools

     00:48:12
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     3

     Making Good Decisions

     00:58:41
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     4

     Clear Thinking Strategies

     00:00:00
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     5

     The Art of Decision Making

     00:13:25
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     6

     Decision Making

     01:22:56

4. Creating Rules and Safeguards: Position yourself for better decisions by setting up rules and safeguards in advance. This proactive approach helps prevent poor decisions made in the heat of the moment 4.

5. Learning from Different Disciplines: Shane advocates an interdisciplinary approach to decision-making, drawing wisdom from various fields such as physics, biology, and ancient philosophy. This broadens the perspective and provides timeless principles applicable to real-life situations 5.

6. Incorporate Feedback and Adaptation: Continuously revisit decisions to adapt them to new information and changing circumstances. This way, you can refine your decision-making process and improve outcomes over time 6.

By following these structured approaches and cultivating diverse decision-making tools, one can enhance their ability to make sound decisions in various contexts.