Fundamental of Achievement
Decision
Making
Arguably more than anything else, the decisions you make have a major impact on your quality of your life. In fact, it is often said that your circumstances are the result of your choices. If you don’t make good decisions, the likelihood that you’ll live a great life is almost zero.
Tier
What Is Decision Making?
Decision making is the process of making choices, especially important or complex ones. As a general rule: thoughtful, strategic decision making leads to better results than impulsive decision making. However, outcomes are seldom guaranteed either way.
Why Decision Making?
Decision making is inescapable. Even avoiding a decision is a decision within itself. Take control of the choices you make to take control of your life.
I don’t claim to be an expert on anything I write about.
Hell, I hardly claim to be an expert on myself.  😂😂😂
These breakdowns are largely for me. I use them to record and reference. Unlike most others on this site though, this decision making page might actually be useful to the outside observer.
No promises. You can tell me.
Life Arithmetic
The math is simple. Your life is a sum of the choices you make. If you want to live a better life, make better decisions.
Dealing with Dilemma
To a very large degree, life is about trade-offs. You can’t do everything. So analyze the opportunity cost honestly.
Forks of Your Future
Your life path stretchs out before you with many branches. Knowing how to decide which way to go is a vital skill.
Function of Free Will
Choice is one of the most profound aspects of the human experience. Making good decisions is like worship.
It’s not always easy to make the right decisions. Here’s a quick look at what honing my decision making capability has been like for me.
Learn with Me
Just like anyone else:
I’ve made plenty of good and bad decisions.
Recently though, my decision making has leaned towards the “right” decision more often than not. It’s taken a lot of internal work to make that happen. I had to do it consciously.
My “factory settings” didn’t necessarily lend themselves to making good choices on a consistent basis.
So I had to decide to change them.
Through practice, I’ve been able to take more and more control of my choices. I’m still learning how to ensure my day-to-day choices line up with my long-term Goals. Admittedly, I don’t always get it right.
However, I’m definitely making progress (as seen on This Site).
My Experience
I’m steadily mastering my decision making.
I become more intentional year after year.
Oftentimes, I’m still plagued by impulsivity as much as the tendency to overthink things.
However, I generally know what I want.
Now, it just comes down to choosing actions that bring me closer to my goals on a consistent basis.
The more I analyze the results of my decisions, the better I get at choosing the correct path forward. Some of that comes down to Habits, some of it comes down to Strategy.
Through Trial and Error, I refine both.
- Importance – 99%
- Passion – 75%
- Mastery – 60%
Journey Started: 1988
Good Life Foundation
Decision making makes the difference. It is vital
They are an essential pillar of a good life. Without them, it’s easy to get blown to and fro by the winds of the world.
Where Decision Making Fits in a Good Life
Decision making is a major piece in several of life’s biggest puzzles.
It is a part of Game Theory, Entrepreneurship, Achievement, Character, and Reality itself.
It is also closely tied to Free Will, Strategy, and Critical Thinking.
Goals are one of the most important pieces of the Achievement puzzle.
For me, they’re a “Tier 2” concept, on the same level as Mindset, Habits, Growth, and High Performance.
It is also closely tied to practices like Journaling.
1. Achievement
‣ 2. Goal Setting
3. Frameworks
3. Scheduling
4. Yearly
4. Monthly
4. Daily Planning
3. Business Plans
Success Habit Rank
Videos Watched
Mentions on My Site
Books Read
Pulling Threads: A Lion Chasing Rabbits
What the hell is This Site, exactly? A pointless stream of consciousness? A fanboy's ode to his Heroes? A psycho's Favorite topics? All three? Or maybe, it's just the result of a lion chasing rabbits. You might LOL... but this is how it works: I am destined to be the...
Choosing the Right Decisions for Yourself
BFor decision making newbies:
Let’s start with the best advice up front.
Just get started.
No one is really new to decision making.
So let’s start with the best advice up front.
Start taking them seriously.
It’s all too easy to allow your choices to get the better of you. In fact, it’s what most people do. But when you do what most people do, you get what most people get. When do you do what the few are willing to do, you qualify for opportunities reserved for the few.
In other words, good choices are one of the filters between the haves and the have nots.
That’s why the question is so important.
How do you make good decisions?
Making Smart Moves
There are two main aspects of decision making.
- Figuring out what you should do.
- Actually doing it.
Some decisions are easy. Others are quite nuanced. Some are lightweight. Others are quite weighty.
It’s the complex, high-pressure ones that demand the most attention.
Should I major in law or medicine?
Should I stay in this relationship?
Should I buy Boardwalk in Monopoly?
The most difficult choices are usually multi-faceted with complex sets of pros and cons. For these you’ll have to exercise Logic, Strategy, Critical Thinking, and/or Risk Assessment. Factors like Game Theory and Opportunity Cost also come into play.
Luckily, you can sharpen these Skills. A lot of times, it is just a matter of Practice. Moreover, competence in your particular field can make a huge difference. With Mastery comes a level of instinct and intuition that makes certain decisions obvious. Experience gives you the ability to “trust your gut.” This is true is all sorts of areas—from plumbing to Investing, gaming to Entrepreneurship.
 you’ll just know the answers to certain questions
some can be built by practice, like playing chess… others require experience and/or study like business decisions…
Identifying the correct/”right” path is often the easy part/is just the first step
The first aspect is often the easy part.
The second part is simple, but not always easy.
Sometimes the first one is easy…
Should I do drugs or should I not?
Should I blow my money on crap or pay my rent?
Should IÂ
After that, you actually have to make yourself do it./have to Commit and Execute.
For many of us, this is where we fall short. Making good decisions requires Willpower and Self Control.
Largely, these are limited resources. You can conserve them by avoiding Distraction and Controlling Your Environment. But
Willpower and Self Control are limited resources.
the will power/discipline to make them
Mindset is a factor… no
There is some wisdom to be gained from the word’s origin.
etymology… greek(?) for cut… cut out one of the choices/futures…
inherently tied to sacrifice/no options mentality… mindset
Don’t be the kid “that can’t help himself/herself”
Habitual Good Decisions
2. consistency/day to day decisions/discipline… choosing to work on your side hustle instead of playing video games, choosing the salad over the pizza, etc.
easy to get into patterns making the same decision over and over to the point that they are basically automatic… like hitting the snooze button, we call these habits… they can be good repetitive decisions or bad ones.
in the overall game of life, the objective isn’t as clear as a game of chess/monopoly… so you need to find/define that clarity for yourself
One of the things that can empower you to make consistently good decisions is proper Goal Setting.
Decision Science
decision fatigue
some bad decision making comes with maturity… but not all “mature” decisions are better, willingness to take risks
some decisions are more personal… some impact others… you even get to decide whether that matters to you
The Big Decisions/Life Changing Decisions
could go before or after habitual good decisions H3…. if first, transition could be “one of the biggest ways to increase your chance of making the right decision in these pivotal moments is to get into the habit of making good decisions”… if second, transition could be “still, no matter how good you become at making the day-to-day decisions, some decisions are more pivotal/life shaping/life altering”
pivotal, cross roads
change of the course of your relationships, career, or your entire life
moving across the country, talking to that girl, making that networking connection, deciding to get sober
need to put yourself in the position/mindset to even have these opportunities fall to you and/or avoid challenges that you really don’t need in your life
many of these decisions will also impact others… your family, friends, maybe even the world
there is no one size fits all… often a very personal decision requiring a custom solution… need self awareness and objective analysis of the situation itself
How to Make Good Decisions Step-By-Step
01
Goal Setting
You’ll make better decisions if you understand what you truly want. It’s easier to align your choices if you have an explicit destination. Goals provide a scale to weigh your decisions against. Without them, it’s nigh on impossible to know how you’re measuring up.
02
Decision Science
Unknown to most people, there is such a thing as Decision Science. You can actually study how to make better choices. Different factors like Logic, Strategy, and Game Theory come into play depending on the situation. Luckily, half the battle is tactical.
03
Heroes & History
The tales of humanity, both historical and fictional, provide a relative roadmap for decision making.  That’s why religious texts often wrap their wisdom in Storytelling. Find Heroes of your own. Then, apply the lessons from their victories and defeats to your own life.
04
Tally the Costs
You already know you can’t do everything at once. Some things will have to be discarded in favor of others. To do this well, you need to weigh your Opportunity Costs and eliminate the least favorable options. It is what it is: great decision making requires Sacrifice.
05
Exercise Choice/Take Responsiblity
Taking the leap is often one of the hardest parts. Don’t succumb to analysis paralysis. Sometimes, you just have to pick. As Tom Bilyeu says, choose your road and drive 100 mph down it. Sure, you may discover you’re going the wrong way. But when you go fast, you’ll find out sooner.
Sometimes, the only way to know if you’re going the right direction is to pick a path and GO. As Tom Bilyeu says, go 100 mph. That way, you’ll know whether you’re going the right direction sooner.
As Tom Bilyeu says, choose your road and drive 100 mph down it. Sure, you may discover that you’re going the wrong way. But when you go fast, you’llÂ
personal responsibility
eventually, you just have to pick… analysis paralysis… making sacrifices… fate vs free will
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06
Plan, Commit, & Execute
The hardest part of decision making is often the Commitment.
Some decisions require incredible willpower
value in being decisive… though also value in review and the ability to admit when you’re wrong… make decisiveness a part of your Self Identity?
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07
Trial & Error
There is a lot to be learned from your mistakes, perhaps even more than your successes. Bad decisions are inevitable. But the ability to analyze them and adjust accordingly is valuable. Don’t lose heart. Instead, understand that Trial and Error is natural, and indeed, helpful.
evaluate them objectively and figure out how to improve.
Remember: just start. As soon as you begin approaching your decisions thoughtfully, you’re ahead of/on your way to surpassing everyone who doesn’t.
My Favorite Decision Making Videos
Everything you need to learn about good decision making can be found online.
I’m no high performance titan. I stand on the shoulders of giants. I simply listen to what my Heroes say and apply it. Not everything sticks. But enough does to make a lasting impact.
Data
Dump
One of the main purposes of This Site is to catalog my learnings. I’m not that learned. But I’m working on becoming moreso. If you see a “data dump” on this site, you’re looking at unsorted information. It may be related or completely unrelated, depending on the topic.
How to Evaluate Opportunities
Brendon Burchard
GAME THEORY: The Pinnacle of Decision Making
The Choice | How To Improve Decision Making Skills
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQLQoGD6Sjg
Alex Hormozi
Mastin Kipp on Impact Theory
this one may not belong??
How To Make Decisions | Sam Ovens
The Death of Alex Becker
Mr. Wonderful Explains Why He Always Chooses Business
Principles for Success by Ray Dalio
How I Use Fear and Pain To Make Millions
Four Decisions Changed My Life
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTVtBhVYZwY
video made private
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Game
Theory
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Life-Altering
Decisions
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How I Make Decisions That Help Create the Life I want
If you haven’t noticed, I take this stuff seriously.
You don’t have to do it like me. But maybe you wanna know. So I guess I’ll tell you. You might have picked some of it up by reading through this page or clicking on some of the links.
I’ll spell it all out here.
Knowing What I Want/Myself
From a young age, I was blessed with extreme (almost oppressive) Self Awareness. The challenge has benn nailing down exactly what I want most. Like everyone, I want it all. So my main issue is Prioritization. That’s why Goal Setting has been so instrumental in my life. I revisit my goals again and again to make sure my actions line up with my truest desires.
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Self Brainwashing
 staying on the path in the moment…. discipline, willpower, self control
affirmations like “I stay on task and on time,” and/or “I do what I am supposed to do when I am supposed to do it,” and/or “I repel regret through my actions today.”
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Proper Priming
On a day-to-day basis,
staying on task and on time
avoiding distraction and procrastination
eliminating distraction and procrastination as options completely
morning routine… getting into the right mindset…environmental control
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Deep Deliberation/Being Calculating
Beyond goal setting and affirmations, I do a lot of weighing up my options
journaling
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Clean Living
I work hard at making sure I have a clear mind. This includes everything from eating a Healthy Diet to Maintaining Sobriety. Sure, I fail often. But…
sobriety
healthy eating
It’s undeniable: I make better decisions with a clear mind/the clearer my mind, the better my decisions
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Favorite Entrepreneurs
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How I Think About Decision Making
For me, Decision Making sits as an important skill under Achievement, Character, & Entrepreneurship.Â
In truth, it it might belong under several more Tier 1 topics as well.
My Decision Making data dump isn’t all that deep yet. I still have a lot to learn on this one. And learn I will. Decision Making has a direct impact on quality of life. As such, I assume the role of humble student.
Here’s a quick look at those.