Decision Making with Optimal Thinking

Looking for a decision making model to empower you to make the best possible choices in any situation? We live in a predominantly left-brain-oriented world, where words and logic are revered and the creative, intuitive, artistic right brain is often subjugated. Many people even have difficulty performing right-brain activities. It is in your best interest to use both hemispheres to define what “Optimal” means to you.

There are two predominantly left-brain approaches to help you determine the Optimal solution to your problems and challenges.

• Optimal Thinking for Simple Decisions
• Optimal Thinking for Complex Decisions

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Optimal Thinking for Simple Decisions

Step 7.

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Determine which option is in your best interest.

Sometimes several options are highly advantageous. In such a case, the best solution may be to employ two or more of your options.

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Betty, an optimist, gave up her job and sold her house, believing that she would get a new job which never transpired. As a result of her bitter experience with optimism, Betty realized optimal realism was her most sensible strategy. She embraced Optimal Thinking and used the following seven-step formula to work out her best solution.

Here’s how Betty defined her biggest problem, evaluated her options, and decided upon the best solution.

• PROBLEM: I don’t have a roof over my head. I need a place to live.
• DEADLINE FOR DECISION: 6 pm today.
• QUESTION: What are my options for resolving this problem?
• ANSWER:
  • Option 1. Stay with my mother until I rent or buy a home.
  • Option 2. Stay with my friend Jane until I rent or buy a home.
  • Option 3. Move into a hotel until I rent or buy a home.
• QUESTION: What is the rating for each option?

Option 1.  Stay with my mother until I can rent or buy a home.
Advantages (Pros)	Value	Disadvantages (Cons)	Value
Can move in today	10	Mom can annoy me	6
Won’t have to pay rent	5	My bedroom is very small	6
Will be welcome there	8
Can stay as long as I like	9
Can store belongings	3
Home is well located	9
Moral support from Mom	7
TOTAL	51	TOTAL	12
Value of Option 1 = +39 (51 – 12)

Option 2.  Stay with my friend Jane until I rent or buy a home.
Advantages (Pros)	Value	Disadvantages (Cons)	Value
Roof over my head	10	Home is not well located	9
Won’t have to pay rent	5	Can’t store belongings	3
Jane is lots of fun	9	Can stay for only 3 weeks	9
Moral support from Jane	7	Can’t move in until Friday	10
Will be welcome there	8
TOTAL	39	TOTAL	31
Value of Option 2 = +8 (39 – 31)

Option 3.  Move into a hotel until I rent or buy a home.
Advantages (Pros)	Value	Disadvantages (Cons)	Value
Can move in today	10	Very expensive	10
Will be welcome there	8	Can’t store belongings	3
Can stay as long as I like	9	Small living space	9
		Will feel lonely	9
		Don’t know which hotel	7
TOTAL	27	TOTAL	38
Value of Option 3 = -11 (27 – 38)
OPTIMAL QUESTION: Which option is in my best interest? OPTIMAL ANSWER:  Option 1. When using this seven-step process, invest about 15 percent of your time in accurately defining the problem and 85 percent of your time in exploring the options and determining the best solution.

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Optimal Thinking for Complex Decisions

When assessing risk, Optimal Thinkers weigh the probability and cost of failure (including the ability to cope with the consequences) against the costs and benefits of prevention.

When you are faced with life-changing decisions such as buying a home, changing careers, or having children, the Optimal Thinking nine-step formula for complex decisions is the decision making model that will enable you to make the optimal choice.

Make the Best Decisions in Any Situation

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