3 Steps to Better Decision Making
This last tip is so simple, that you’ll wonder why you don’t already do it. But apparently, even rocket scientists struggle with it!
Let’s look at the wildest decision ever made — crash landing a plane full of people in the Hudson River. I know, what!?
In 2009, a pilot named Sully flew an airplane over New York when birds suddenly flew into the engines. Both engines failed and the plane had no power!
With only minutes left before impact, Sully had to decide where to attempt landing the disabled plane. First, he challenged the usual constraints and considered unorthodox options like the Hudson, instead of standard airports.
Next, he did a pre-mortem and imagined different failure scenarios — how would the plane sink? Could people be rescued from the freezing river?
Finally, he checked basics like speed and altitude to execute this risky landing. And he walked the flooded aisles twice to verify everyone was out.
Because Sully followed these three steps, he saved all 150 passengers and crew on what became known as the “Miracle on the Hudson.” How’s that for great decision-making!
3 Steps To Better Decision Making
Making decisions can be hard, am I right? Like when your mom asks if you want chicken nuggets or pizza for dinner. Such a tough call.
Stick with me! I’ll explain everything in simple terms that even your little brother could understand.
Step 1: Challenge the Rules
Think back to that time your parents said you couldn’t have a sleepover on a school night. Lame. Or when your teacher told you that your science project had to fit a certain size and topic guidelines. Boring!
We’ve all been in situations where annoying constraints are placed on what we can do. But here’s a secret: sometimes constraints are more like gentle suggestions. You don’t always have to just accept the apparent limitations on an assignment or activity at face value.
Let’s say your teacher gives you an art project to make something out of clay, but says it can only be 6 inches tall.
That’s so restrictive! Instead of just shrugging and accepting it, take a step back.
Is there a way you could negotiate that rule? Could you make a longer, horizontal sculpture instead of a tall vertical one? Or maybe create something modular out of multiple 6-inch pieces?
With some creative thinking, it’s often possible to work around seemingly strict guidelines.
Don’t be afraid to challenge the boundaries set by parents, teachers, or anyone else! (Within reason of course — I’m not telling you to break actual safety rules).
The point is, that pushing back on limitations can lead to way cooler and more innovative ideas. So next time you’re faced with a set of constraints that feels wrong, stop and ask yourself: how could I reframe or rework this situation?
Step 2: Imagine the Worst
Now this tip may sound negative, but stick with me because it’s super helpful.
Let’s say your friend invites you to an epic party this weekend. You’re so psyched! But before you fully commit, take a pause. As fun as it seems, imagine everything that could go wrong:
- Your parents find out and ground you for life
- The party gets busted by the cops
- You accidentally break something valuable and have to pay for it
- You eat too many dino nuggets and throw up
Yikes!
Thinking through worst-case scenarios like this is what experts call a pre-mortem.
(Don’t worry, no one’s dying). Take a minute to visualize how a decision could lead to failure or disaster before jumping in.
While daydreaming about a fun party or yummy nuggets is more enjoyable, imagining possible downsides is incredibly important. It helps you prepare for problems, weigh risks accurately, and avoid mistakes. So your decisions turn out better in the end.
I bet introverts do this all the time and I am one of them. But yes, it could lead to unnecessary stress sometimes. There you should prioritize whether using your brain power will be productive or not.
Let’s try this for something lower stakes. Say you’re debating whether to try out for the school play this year. Before you audition, conduct a little pre-mortem in your head:
- I could get stage fright and forget all my lines
- My voice could crack in the middle of a song
- I might not get the part I want
- Rehearsals could take over my whole life
Thinking through these scary scenarios in advance helps you decide if auditioning is a good choice for you. And if you still go for it, you’ve already mentally prepared for any mishaps!
Step 3: Check the Basics
This last tip is so simple, that you’ll wonder why you don’t already do it. But apparently, even rocket scientists struggle with it!
Here’s the deal: before finalizing any big decision, take a few minutes to double-check the key details and basic requirements involved. Make sure you don’t gloss over or forget any crucial pieces of information.
For example, let’s say you volunteered to plan your class field trip to the zoo. Awesome, right? But before booking those buses, pause! Review the basic steps needed to pull this off:
- Pick a date that works for everyone
- Confirm the zoo can accommodate your group
- Check ticket prices and budget
- Reserve transportation
- Get parent permission forms signed
- Assign chaperones
- And so on…
By scanning through critical logistics like this, you’ll catch any missing info or potential issues. Like maybe you need more chaperones than you thought. Or certain kids have allergies to plan for.
These basics may seem mundane, but overlooking small details can sabotage your choices.
So fight the urge to rush into decisions! Take a breath, and double-check the fundamentals first.
Next time you’re faced with a difficult choice — like which flavor of ice cream to get or whether to do your homework — remember Sully and these 3 simple tips. Challenge the constraints, envision the worst, and check the fundamentals.
Stick to this formula, and you’ll make grown-up-level decisions in no time. You got this!
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