Sometimes people find it hard to make decisions, especially when there are lots of factors to consider. The stakes may be high, and there may be little time to weigh up all the different considerations. In situations such as these, decision-making tools can help. In this article, we’ll discuss 4 different examples that can help you take the right next steps.
1. Picker Wheels
Picker wheels are a great way to make decisions quickly and easily. They can be used by anyone, for any decision. Simply put, a picker wheel is a graphical tool that allows you to compare and contrast different options or choices. It has spokes that connect to a central hub, with each one representing an individual option. You can even rate each one according to how appealing they are to you. The final step is to spin the wheel and let it choose the option for you. The pros include:
- It can be used in any situation
- It helps you visualize the different options
Here are some cons:
- It can be time-consuming if you have a lot of choices
- You need to be able to rate each option accurately
For more information on this specific tool, it’s worth going online to do some more research. There are specialist websites that can tell you what a PickerWheel is, how you use the spinner and what wheel customization involves. It’s also possible to learn about viewing the results and scores, activating full-screen view, different types of action modes and saving it as an app on your device.
2. Pros And Cons Lists
First of all, it’s necessary to explain each of these two terms. Pros are the advantages and cons the disadvantages of a decision or solution. A pros and cons list comprises two different columns that are displayed side by side. You write the pros on one side of the page and the pros on the other. You can then compare the different factors (and how many there are in each column) in order to arrive at your final decision. This method helps you to identify the different elements involved since you have to write them down, rather than keeping them in your head. Some advantages of this method include:
- It’s a visual tool
- These lists are easy to create by hand or with Microsoft Word, Google Docs or Excel
The disadvantages of this method include:
Pros and cons lists only take into account facts. They don’t consider feelings, intuition or other non-tangible elements that may affect the overall outcome of a particular solution. You would need other tools for those situations where these intangible elements play an important part in deciding which path is best for you.
3. Mind Mapping
Mind mapping is a visual thinking tool, and the maps can be hand-drawn or created with an app. Mind maps are typically created around a single word, idea, concept, or question in the center of a page and branch out from there to include related topics. Mind maps are used to organize thoughts and visualize connections between them so that you can see ideas at a glance instead of having to read through lists of words or paragraphs of text.
Mind maps help you better understand what needs to be decided on, and how all of the pieces fit together to make up one whole picture. Mind mapping can also help with problem-solving by showing relationships between ideas. It also allows people to more easily identify patterns in their thoughts or information. Mind maps can be a real help to people who struggle with organization skills due to ADHD or anxiety disorders like OCD.
4. Brainstorming
This is a process used to generate ideas and solutions through spontaneous, freewheeling group discussions. The brainstorming tool can be implemented in the following steps:
- Generate objective questions that are focused on specific information or data that’s needed in order for you to make an informed decision.
- Set aside preconceived notions and evaluations.
- Generate as many ideas as possible. No idea will be too far-fetched during this phase.
- Evaluate ideas. Once you have a long list of options, it’s time to narrow them down.
- Choose what you feel is the best possible solution, taking all factors into consideration – and then put it into action.
These have been 4 popular tools that people use for making decisions easier. Don’t forget to get some advice from others too, as this can also prove invaluable. Once you’ve used your tool and made your choice, you’ll be able to move on with your life more productively.