How can we improve our decision-making?

Sources:

Improving decision-making skills involves several key strategies:

  1. Think in Probabilities: suggests breaking down decisions into component parts such as values, beliefs, decisions, randomness, and outcomes. By thinking in probabilities and understanding the impact of randomness, we can improve our decision-making process and avoid being misled by outcomes tainted by randomness 1.

  2. Use Algorithms: emphasizes the effectiveness of using algorithms where possible. Algorithms and rules often outperform intuitive judgments, especially in forecasting and judgment problems. If algorithms aren't an option, slowing down the decision-making process can also lead to better outcomes 2 3.

    Improving Decision Making

    Annie explores the reasons why people often make decisions that go against what they know is best, and discusses the positive aspects of activating identity and tribe. She also delves into the importance of working together and how it can lead to better decision making.
    Invest Like the Best
    Annie Duke – Wanna Bet? - [Invest Like the Best, EP.125]
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
  3. Simulate Other People’s Responses: discusses a strategy where you improve your own decision-making by imagining what knowledgeable people would say and averaging their responses. This mental simulation can help overcome personal biases and bring in diverse perspectives 4.

  4. Reflect on Decisions: suggests writing down decisions at night and reviewing them in the morning. This method helps incorporate rational thought and emotional self-checks, improving reasoning and reducing hasty decisions 5.

  5. Learn from Failures: highlights the importance of making bold decisions and accepting that failures are a part of the learning process. By failing and analyzing mistakes, we gain insights that lead to improved decision-making skills 6.

By integrating these strategies, you can make more informed, rational, and effective decisions.

RELATED QUESTIONS