Decision Making
6 questions
How to make difficult decisions?
•Define criteria (what is important).
•Gather information (but not infinitely).
•Consider alternatives (at least 3).
•Pros/Cons or weighted evaluation.
•Visualize consequences in 10 min/10 months/10 years.
•Reversibility — is the decision reversible? (reversible ones decide faster).
•Biases — what could influence?
•Trust your intuition after analysis.
What are cognitive biases?
Confirmation — look for information that supports our views. Availability — overestimate the likelihood of vivid events (plane crash vs car accident). Anchoring — the first number influences the estimate. Loss aversion — losing 100₽ hurts more than gaining 100₽ brings joy. Bandwagon effect — do as everyone else. Survivor bias — see successes, not failures.
Decision Making: how to formulate criteria and priorities before choosing?
On the topic "Decision Making," start with the goal (what should be able to understand/do) and limit the scope to 2–3 skills per week. Then establish a schedule and measure progress with small tasks.
Decision Making: how to use a weighted decision table in practice?
Practice for "Decision Making": use active recall (questions to yourself) and spaced repetition. 20 minutes of review every 1–3–7 days yields more than "cramming".
Decision Making: how to avoid analysis paralysis and set deadlines?
Answer on "Decision Making": learn through projects. Choose a mini-project of 1–2 hours and complete it — this quickly reveals gaps.
Decision Making: how to consider risks and Plan B?
For "Decision Making," it is important to get feedback: from a teacher, mentor, or community. Without feedback, mistakes are reinforced.