A Simple Decision-Making Template

Some times your mind is full of a hundred ideas. Many of them come at 3:30 a.m.! Here is a simple (but not simplistic) decision making template, for business or personal decisions, that you can use to sift through the ideas and either discard them or put them into some kind of an orderly process.

-- The Catholic CEO

Format:

This is an extremely simple (but not simplistic) decision making template to use when one is overwhelmed with a constant flow of ideas – some of which may be useful, some of which could be pursued for business, hobby (personal interest), or philanthropic reasons, and some of which could be simply discarded. It’s a kind of decision tree format. And, if written down, it can be developed into a visual flow chart. I have colleagues who do cartoon style decision making flow charts that are fun and useful.

Questions:

Here are the questions to ask when you are faced with a constant flow of ideas. It’s best to write out the answer to all these questions – and keep the answers in a book or journal so you don’t waste valuable time repeating things. This can help your creativity too because you can build on an idea rather than randomly coming back and forth with it.

1. What is the idea? Write it out in a simple sentence or two. This is to prove to you that it’s a real idea and not just a fleeting thought.
2. How many times have you thought of this idea?
3. Have you ever acted on it before?
4. Is it worth talking to one or two other people about?
5. Is it worth putting on your calendar to think about at a later date? [This helps to de-clutter your mind by parking the idea for later.]
6. Is it a business idea?
7. If it is a business idea – is it for now or later? Is it for your current business or for a new business? Can you do it yourself or do you need the help of others?
8. Is it a personal idea for your own interest (e.g. a hobby or a fun pursuit)?
9. If it is a personal idea – is it for now or later? Is it urgent or merely interesting? Can you do it yourself or do you need the help of others?
10. Is it for some good cause (e.g. a philanthropic reason)?
11. If it is a good cause (philanthropic idea) – is it for now or later? Is it local? Is it global? Can you do it yourself or do you need the help of others?
12. Will it cost money? Your money? Other peoples’ money?
13. Is it urgent? Is it something you can postpone?
14. Who is your test subject on any idea? Do you have one trusted person to go to? Or do have a small panel (a PAB – a “personal advisory board”) that should hear all your ideas?
15. FINALLY, do you have a set of criteria that every idea must pass (like passing a test), such as making money, doing good, pursuing the good the true and the beautiful, etc.?

Contact me if you need some help with this decision making process for your business or other areas of your life. Simply go to our home page, and click "Book a free intro call" on the introductory video.