The most valuable part of a long bike ride is the second 30 minutes. The first 30 are spent settling into a groove, finding the right pace, and clearing my head. I know this is done when random interesting ideas start showing up, as I’ve written about before. There are three categories of exciting ideas:
- Stop now. Instantly tell Siri to create a reminder. If Siri isn’t working because I’m off-network, I’ll stop my bike and type my reminder. The idea is that important.
- Disposable. Interesting idea, but not worth capturing yet. Maybe it’ll come back later?
- Greatest hits. These are disposable ideas that keep come back on subsequent rides.
One of my great hits for a couple of years has been building a flowchart regarding making big decisions. Not small decisions, big ones. As with all complicated people things™, I see these situations as flowcharts. An obvious set of steps, branches, and logical conclusions. Flowcharts give me a sense of control when it’s hitting the fan.
(click on the image for a larger version)
I love this! My most favorite portion of the chart is “Sleep On It.” probably the best advice ever given to anyone. Ever.
The “urgent decision path” almost always involves
– Bounded rationality
– Non-compensatory decision making
– Satisficing (not maximizing)
Something to keep in mind when evaluating past decisions taken under time-pressure.
Thanks! Big time. I am neurodivergent and recently worked it out that this is the only way I function. For all major and minor decisions. I feel validated that someone else thinks like this too! I am curious if you’re neurodivergent as well and figured out this is how your brain inherently works, or if this is a skill you learnt to organize your thoughts. Also, how do you make your minor decisions?