Practical Decision Making Method from The Achievement Habit
Introduction
In "The Achievement Habit: Stop Wishing, Start Doing, and Take Command of Your Life," Bernard Roth explores effective decision-making strategies. Roth suggests embracing action, accepting potential failure. Take a look at this practical decision-making method which tries to synthesize ideas from the book, offering a step-by-step procedure to make good decision or solve problems in real life.
The Achievement Habit Summary + TOC
Quotes - Achievement Habit
Step-by-Step Procedure
- Identify the Decision: Clearly define the decision or problem at hand.
- Manifest a Bias Towards Action: Commit to taking action rather than getting stuck in analysis paralysis.
- Use a Decision-Making Matrix: List your options in rows and attributes in columns to systematically compare them.
- Evaluate and Rank: Assess each option based on its attributes and rank them according to their potential impact.
- Take Action: Choose the top-ranked option and implement it without delay.
- Reflect and Adjust: After taking action, reflect on the outcome and make adjustments as necessary.
Questions for the Method
- What decision or problem do I need to address?
- What are my options and their key attributes?
- How do these options compare in terms of potential impact?
- Which option ranks highest based on my evaluation?
- What actions do I need to take to implement this decision?
- How will I reflect on and adjust my decision after implementation?
Concrete Examples
Example 1: Personal - Choosing a Fitness Routine
Identify the Decision: Choosing a new fitness routine.
Manifest a Bias Towards Action: Commit to starting a new routine this week.
Use a Decision-Making Matrix:
| Options | Cost | Time Commitment | Enjoyment | Accessibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yoga | Medium | High | High | Medium |
| Running | Low | Medium | Medium | High |
| Gym | High | High | High | Medium |
Evaluate and Rank: Running ranks highest due to low cost and high accessibility.
Take Action: Start a running routine immediately.
Reflect and Adjust: After a month, assess progress and make adjustments if necessary.
Example 2: Business - Choosing a Marketing Strategy
Identify the Decision: Selecting a new marketing strategy for a product.
Manifest a Bias Towards Action: Commit to launching a new strategy within the next quarter.
Use a Decision-Making Matrix:
| Options | Cost | Reach | Engagement | Measurability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Media Ads | Medium | High | High | High |
| Email Campaigns | Low | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Influencer Partnerships | High | High | High | Medium |
Evaluate and Rank: Social Media Ads rank highest due to high reach and measurability.
Take Action: Launch a social media ad campaign immediately.
Reflect and Adjust: After the campaign runs for a month, review the results and make necessary adjustments.
4 Alternative Methods
- Pros and Cons List: Write down the pros and cons of each option to compare them.
- SWOT Analysis: Evaluate the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats of each option.
- Intuition-Based Decision Making: Trust your gut feelings and past experiences to guide your choice.
- Consultation: Seek advice from trusted friends, mentors, or colleagues before making a decision.
