Summary

The article discusses using the "Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe" method as a decision-making tool for both children and adults, emphasizing intuition in making choices.

Abstract

The author reflects on their 4-year-old daughter's use of the "Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe" rhyme to make simple choices and notes the predictability of the outcome due to the rhyme's structure. Despite its simplicity, the method is likened to a way of tapping into one's intuition when faced with more complex life decisions. The article suggests that when traditional pros and cons lists fail, using a childlike random selection process can help adults make difficult decisions quickly, with the gut reaction to the chosen option serving as a guide to whether it feels right. The author encourages readers to list their options, use a random selection method, and trust their instinctual response to know if they've made the right choice.

Opinions

The author believes that the "Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe" rhyme, while seemingly trivial, can be an effective decision-making tool beyond childhood.
It is implied that adults may overcomplicate decisions, and a simple, random method can cut through uncertainty and external influences.
The article suggests that intuition plays a significant role in decision-making, and a spontaneous choice can bring this to the forefront.
There is a humorous acknowledgment that the math behind the rhyme is predictable, with a tongue-in-cheek request for someone to verify the calculations.
The author posits that the immediate emotional response to a randomly selected choice is a reliable indicator of the decision's alignment with one's true desires or values.

Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe

How to make difficult decisions quickly…and know you chose right

“I said ‘MOE’ and chose that one!”

My 4-year-old daughter points to the Cheez-Its in her hand. She went into the pantry to get an apple sauce and came out with the little red snack bag instead.

For a few weeks now, this has been her default way to choose what she wants.

Do I want Cheerios or Rice Krispies?
Dino nuggets or fish sticks?
Blue sprinkles or red sprinkles?

“Hang on, lemme see…I wanna do eeny-meeny-miny-moe…”

At a certain point (hopefully by adulthood), eeny-meeny-miny-moe users will have figured out that it’s always going to be the 16th item that’s chosen -

2 out of 2,

1 out of 3,

4 out of 4,

1 out of 5…

(P.S. I’m a writer. Someone please check my math).

Though I don’t believe it gets any higher than two, for the most part. So if you already know which one you want, you can adjust your starting point.

But that would completely defeat the purpose of the rhyme. Also, my daughter doesn’t quite have the rhythm down, so the numbers don’t always work out right. Her finger goes either too fast or too slow.

What’s really happening

It doesn’t matter what gets the final “MOE” because at the point of the decision, she knows exactly what she wants.

And if “MOE” isn’t it, she changes her mind. “Actually, I want that one.”

And THAT is something you can adopt.

When you’re making difficult life decisions (that aren’t about the color of the sprinkles on your cupcake), it’s easy to get sucked into a vortex of uncertainty.

“What others might think” comes into play.
Your values come into play.
What you really want…but think you can’t have.
Your past experiences.
Your fears and anxieties about the future.
And there’s so much more!

In cases like that, where you find yourself stuck and even a “plusses and minuses” list doesn’t work…

Try eeny-meeny-miny-moe and make a fast decision. Or better yet, let your 4-year-old randomly choose for you.

You’ll know instantly if it’s the right choice. Your gut instinct — your intuition — will speak up and let you know.

Sometimes, it just needs a little push.

Here’s what to do now

Think about that difficult decision you have to make.

Write down all your options.

Use whatever rhyme or method you want to make a selection, assuming it will be your final choice.

Don’t worry — if it’s not right, you’ll know right away.

Maybe you’ll even know what the right answer is. But if you don’t, repeat with the remaining options.

When you get to the right one, you’ll know on a gut level that you chose right.

Good luck!