If you want to start making better decisions, a great place to start is by analyzing what goes wrong during bad decisions.
Here are 5 of the biggest things that cause bad decisions:
Here are 5 of the biggest things that cause bad decisions:
1. We're unintentionally stupid
We like to think we’re rational and capable of interpreting all information in a non-biased way, but that’s a dream.
Cognitive biases are great at explaining how our evolutionary programming leads us astray.
We like to think we’re rational and capable of interpreting all information in a non-biased way, but that’s a dream.
Cognitive biases are great at explaining how our evolutionary programming leads us astray.
There are also many easily recognizable situations that increase the odds we’re about to do something stupid.
Whether we’re tired, overly focused on a goal, rushing, distracted, operating in a group, or under the influence of a group, we’re more prone to stupidity.
Whether we’re tired, overly focused on a goal, rushing, distracted, operating in a group, or under the influence of a group, we’re more prone to stupidity.
2. We have the wrong information
Making decisions with the wrong assumptions or facts will likely lead to disaster.
Making decisions with the wrong assumptions or facts will likely lead to disaster.
3. We use the wrong model
The quality of the models we use determines the quality of our thinking.
If we use a false, incomplete, or incorrect model, odds are we won't be making an effective decision.
The quality of the models we use determines the quality of our thinking.
If we use a false, incomplete, or incorrect model, odds are we won't be making an effective decision.
4. We fail to learn
We all know the person that has 20 years of experience but it’s really just the same year over and over.
Well, that person is sometimes us. If we don’t understand how we learn, we’re likely to make the same mistakes over and over.
We all know the person that has 20 years of experience but it’s really just the same year over and over.
Well, that person is sometimes us. If we don’t understand how we learn, we’re likely to make the same mistakes over and over.
5. Looking good over doing good
We unconsciously make choices based on optics, politics, and defendability.
We hate criticism and seek the validation of our peers and superiors, even if we don't agree with the methods and outcomes.
We unconsciously make choices based on optics, politics, and defendability.
We hate criticism and seek the validation of our peers and superiors, even if we don't agree with the methods and outcomes.
Luckily, we can take steps to reduce the odds of stupidity and increase the odds of good decisions in each of these categories.
For example, failing to learn can be remedied by adopting a reflection habit through journaling.
For example, failing to learn can be remedied by adopting a reflection habit through journaling.
Using the wrong model can be fixed by learning how to identify the variables in situations that call for certain models, increasing the likelihood that you use the right model in the right situation.
There are more ways to reduce bad decisions and increase good decisions.
That's why we built Decision by Design: our 12-step decision-making course that teaches you the skills and systems you need to master decision-making.
That's why we built Decision by Design: our 12-step decision-making course that teaches you the skills and systems you need to master decision-making.
The course is open now and we’re only opening this round for 300 students. Don’t miss your chance to master decision-making in 2023.
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