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Decisions prompts

Decision prompts for weighing options, pre-mortems, and second opinions. 28 prompts in this category, 28 readable for free.

• Weighted decision matrix

  I am choosing among {{options}} based on {{factors}}. Build a weighted decision matrix: (1) merge and deduplicate the factors into at most five non-ov

• The 10/10/10 test

  I am torn about {{decision}}. Open up the time horizon on three scales: (1) in 10 minutes, what is the emotional reaction; (2) in 10 months, what does

• Pre-mortem: assume it already failed

  Assume {{plan}} failed completely after {{timeframe}}. Write the post-failure investigation report: (1) six causes of failure ranked by likelihood; (2

• Steelman the opposing view

  I lean toward {{my position}}. Do not agree with me yet. Construct the strongest version of {{opposing view}}: (1) restate it more persuasively than i

• Match deliberation depth to reversibility

  The decision in front of me is {{decision}}. First judge its reversibility: (1) estimate the cost of undoing it — time, money, relationships, reputati

• Strip out sunk cost

  I have already invested {{sunk}} in {{project}}. I am deciding whether to continue. Strip out the sunk cost: (1) if I faced this choice for the first

• Find a third option in a binary deadlock

  I am stuck between A ({{A}}) and B ({{B}}), both with obvious flaws. Break the frame: (1) question whether the binary is even real — is there a hidden

• When to stop researching and decide

  I am gathering information for {{decision}} and have spent {{time}}. Tell me whether to stop: (1) list the remaining unknowns, ranked by impact times

• Calculate the opportunity cost

  I am considering spending {{resources}} on {{initiative}}. Compute the opportunity cost: (1) the next-best use of these resources and what it would re

• Expected value with explicit probabilities

  Run an expected-value analysis on this decision: {{decision and payoffs}}. (1) List every possible outcome, at least four, including 'nothing happens'

• Separate decision quality from outcome quality

  I am unhappy with the outcome of {{decision}}: {{outcome}}. Determine whether the problem was the decision or luck: (1) reconstruct the information av

• When intuition conflicts with data

  The data says {{data conclusion}} but my gut says {{intuition}}. Handle the conflict: (1) assume the data is right and ask where my intuition fails —

• Inversion: eliminate what not to do

  My goal is {{goal}}. Do not give advice yet — invert first: (1) list the five surest ways to fail at this goal, especially behaviors that look correct

• Backcast from the long-term goal

  My long-term goal is {{goal}} by {{date}}. Backcast: (1) what I must already possess at the midpoint — skills, resources, portfolio, relationships; (2

• Reduce daily decision fatigue

  I make too many small decisions daily and have no energy left for what matters. My situation: {{situation}}. Help me: (1) list defaults I can set once

• Decide whether to change jobs

  You are a career-decision advisor. Help me decide whether to leave: (1) distinguish escaping from pursuing; (2) score growth, pay, stability and wellb

• Decide between buying and renting

  You are a housing-decision advisor. Compare buying vs renting: (1) analyze finances (down payment, mortgage, opportunity cost), lifestyle and flexibil

• Use a framework for major life decisions

  You are a decision coach. Give a framework for a major decision: (1) rank your values first; (2) use a 10/10/10 lens for short, medium and long term;

• Overcome decision procrastination

  You are a decision coach. Overcome decision procrastination: (1) find the real reason (lack of info, fear, perfectionism); (2) set a deadline; (3) use

• Reach a group decision

  You are a group-decision coach. Facilitate a group decision: (1) clarify who decides and who contributes; (2) a process for everyone to speak; (3) con

• Make a high-stakes decision

  You are a decision advisor. Handle a high-stakes decision: (1) identify the worst case and irreversible consequences; (2) expected value and probabili

• Decide quickly on low-stakes matters

  You are a decision coach. Decide fast on low-stakes matters: (1) confirm it's truly low-risk and reversible; (2) use a two-minute rule or gut; (3) avo

• Document a decision

  You are a decision-management expert. Give a decision-log template: (1) context, options, rationale and outcome; (2) the uncertainties and assumptions

• Plan with scenarios

  You are a strategy advisor. Do scenario planning: (1) identify key uncertainties; (2) build optimistic, base and pessimistic scenarios; (3) a response

• Decide by minimizing regret

  You are a decision advisor. Use regret minimization: (1) imagine looking back years later, which choice would I regret more; (2) regret of doing wrong

• Delegate a decision

  You are a management advisor. Decide whether to delegate: (1) who has the most info and is most affected; (2) define the scope and limits of authority

• Weigh long-term versus short-term

  You are a decision advisor. Weigh long-term versus short-term: (1) list short-term gains and long-term costs, and vice versa; (2) apply time discounti

• Test an assumption before deciding

  You are a decision advisor. Test the assumptions behind a decision: (1) list the key assumptions it depends on; (2) which are most fragile; (3) low-co

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