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How to Make Better Decisions: 14 Smart Tactics for Curbing Your Biases, Managing Your Emotions, And Making Fearless Decisions in Every Area of Your Life!
Our decisions shape our lives.
Smart decisions lead to promising opportunities, greater happiness, and richer experiences. Poor decisions get us into trouble and often impose serious consequences.
That's why making decisions can be so difficult. There's a lot at stake.
HOW TO MAKE BETTER DECISIONS shows you, step by step, how to choose wisely every time. You'll discover how to stop agonizing and make smart decisions quickly and confidently with zero regret. You'll also learn how to recognize influences, both internal and external, that threaten to sabotage your choices.
In HOW TO MAKE BETTER DECISIONS, you'll discover:
the top 6 reasons we make bad decisions
10 cognitive biases that sabotage us (and how to overcome each one!)
a simple 6-step framework for making FAST decisions without fear
an advanced strategy for creating pros-and-cons lists that actually work
how to avoid information overload (and 4 types of filters that'll do the heavy lifting for you!)
7 ways to methodically challenge your assumptions in any situation
how to perform a simple paired comparison analysis (it's easier than you might think!)
the 10 questions you must ask yourself before making any important decision
more than a dozen systems, methods, and hacks that will improve your decision-making skills
PLUS, YOU'LL RECEIVE 14 EXERCISES to help you apply the tactics you'll learn throughout this book!
If you're feeling overwhelmed, under pressure, and indecisive, HOW TO MAKE BETTER DECISIONS offers a simple, practical solution. Here's how to make better personal and professional decisions to create a truly rewarding life.
Smart decisions lead to promising opportunities, greater happiness, and richer experiences. Poor decisions get us into trouble and often impose serious consequences.
That's why making decisions can be so difficult. There's a lot at stake.
HOW TO MAKE BETTER DECISIONS shows you, step by step, how to choose wisely every time. You'll discover how to stop agonizing and make smart decisions quickly and confidently with zero regret. You'll also learn how to recognize influences, both internal and external, that threaten to sabotage your choices.
In HOW TO MAKE BETTER DECISIONS, you'll discover:
the top 6 reasons we make bad decisions
10 cognitive biases that sabotage us (and how to overcome each one!)
a simple 6-step framework for making FAST decisions without fear
an advanced strategy for creating pros-and-cons lists that actually work
how to avoid information overload (and 4 types of filters that'll do the heavy lifting for you!)
7 ways to methodically challenge your assumptions in any situation
how to perform a simple paired comparison analysis (it's easier than you might think!)
the 10 questions you must ask yourself before making any important decision
more than a dozen systems, methods, and hacks that will improve your decision-making skills
PLUS, YOU'LL RECEIVE 14 EXERCISES to help you apply the tactics you'll learn throughout this book!
If you're feeling overwhelmed, under pressure, and indecisive, HOW TO MAKE BETTER DECISIONS offers a simple, practical solution. Here's how to make better personal and professional decisions to create a truly rewarding life.
248 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 10, 2021
239 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 27, 2024
Overview
"Damon Zahariades: How to Make Better Decisions" is a comprehensive guide aimed at refining the reader's decision-making abilities. It addresses the common pitfalls of personal biases and emotional reactions, offering 14 Smart Tactics to navigate through life's choices with confidence and without regret.
Synopsis
Zahariades presents a structured approach to decision-making, covering everything from recognising biases and managing emotions to employing systematic methods for challenging assumptions. The book is not just theoretical; it includes practical exercises for real-world application, making it a dynamic workbook for personal growth. The fourteen chapters of the book cover the following aspects:
1. Understanding Biases: Recognise the 10 cognitive biases that affect decision-making and learn strategies to overcome them.
2. Managing Emotions: Develop methods to manage emotions that can cloud judgment.
3. Fast Decision Framework: Implement a 6-step framework for making quick decisions confidently.
4. Pros-and-Cons Lists: Use an advanced strategy for creating effective pros-and-cons lists.
5. Avoiding Information Overload: Apply filters to manage information and prevent overload.
6. Challenging Assumptions: Employ 7 methods to systematically challenge assumptions in any situation.
7. Paired Comparison Analysis: Perform simple paired comparison analyses to evaluate options.
8. Critical Questions: Ask 10 essential questions before making any significant decision.
9. Decision-Making Systems: Utilise various systems, methods, and hacks to enhance decision-making skills.
10. Exercises for Application: Engage in 14 exercises designed to help apply the tactics learned.
11. Recognising Sabotage: Learn to identify factors that threaten to undermine decisions.
12. Overcoming Indecision: Discover strategies to overcome indecision and make choices without fear.
13. Confidence in Choices: Build confidence in making decisions with zero regret.
14. Life Application: Apply these tactics to make better personal and professional decisions for a rewarding life.
Why You Should Read It?
The book is an indispensable guide for those at life's crossroads, offering a wealth of problem-solving approaches. Zahariades' book is a timely resource in our decision-hungry lifestyles, providing a comprehensive and accessible overview that encourages active participation and self-reflection. It's more than a read; it's a practical workbook that makes complex psychological concepts digestible for everyone.
Critics and Review
Critics have commended the book for its engaging content and practical tools, which are designed to enhance the decision-making process. The author's straightforward writing style has been praised for making the insights and strategies accessible to a broad audience. However, some have noted that while the book is versatile, it may not delve deeply into complex psychological theories, potentially leaving those seeking academic rigour wanting more.
Verdict
Despite some critiques, the book remains a strong resource for enhancing decision-making skills. Its versatility and the range of cognitive strategies presented are impressive. Zahariades excels in not just instructing on decision-making but also in enhancing the reader's understanding of the process itself. While the exercises are beneficial, their application to more complex real-life situations may require further adaptation by the reader. Nonetheless, these points do not detract from the book's overall value.
About the Author
Damon Zahariades is a renowned productivity expert and author based in Southern California. With a background in finance and investments, he transitioned from corporate America to become a celebrated writer and entrepreneur. Zahariades is known for his practical books on productivity and decision-making, such as "The Procrastination Cure" and "The Art of Saying NO," which have helped countless individuals enhance their personal and professional lives.
"Damon Zahariades: How to Make Better Decisions" is a comprehensive guide aimed at refining the reader's decision-making abilities. It addresses the common pitfalls of personal biases and emotional reactions, offering 14 Smart Tactics to navigate through life's choices with confidence and without regret.
Synopsis
Zahariades presents a structured approach to decision-making, covering everything from recognising biases and managing emotions to employing systematic methods for challenging assumptions. The book is not just theoretical; it includes practical exercises for real-world application, making it a dynamic workbook for personal growth. The fourteen chapters of the book cover the following aspects:
1. Understanding Biases: Recognise the 10 cognitive biases that affect decision-making and learn strategies to overcome them.
2. Managing Emotions: Develop methods to manage emotions that can cloud judgment.
3. Fast Decision Framework: Implement a 6-step framework for making quick decisions confidently.
4. Pros-and-Cons Lists: Use an advanced strategy for creating effective pros-and-cons lists.
5. Avoiding Information Overload: Apply filters to manage information and prevent overload.
6. Challenging Assumptions: Employ 7 methods to systematically challenge assumptions in any situation.
7. Paired Comparison Analysis: Perform simple paired comparison analyses to evaluate options.
8. Critical Questions: Ask 10 essential questions before making any significant decision.
9. Decision-Making Systems: Utilise various systems, methods, and hacks to enhance decision-making skills.
10. Exercises for Application: Engage in 14 exercises designed to help apply the tactics learned.
11. Recognising Sabotage: Learn to identify factors that threaten to undermine decisions.
12. Overcoming Indecision: Discover strategies to overcome indecision and make choices without fear.
13. Confidence in Choices: Build confidence in making decisions with zero regret.
14. Life Application: Apply these tactics to make better personal and professional decisions for a rewarding life.
Why You Should Read It?
The book is an indispensable guide for those at life's crossroads, offering a wealth of problem-solving approaches. Zahariades' book is a timely resource in our decision-hungry lifestyles, providing a comprehensive and accessible overview that encourages active participation and self-reflection. It's more than a read; it's a practical workbook that makes complex psychological concepts digestible for everyone.
Critics and Review
Critics have commended the book for its engaging content and practical tools, which are designed to enhance the decision-making process. The author's straightforward writing style has been praised for making the insights and strategies accessible to a broad audience. However, some have noted that while the book is versatile, it may not delve deeply into complex psychological theories, potentially leaving those seeking academic rigour wanting more.
Verdict
Despite some critiques, the book remains a strong resource for enhancing decision-making skills. Its versatility and the range of cognitive strategies presented are impressive. Zahariades excels in not just instructing on decision-making but also in enhancing the reader's understanding of the process itself. While the exercises are beneficial, their application to more complex real-life situations may require further adaptation by the reader. Nonetheless, these points do not detract from the book's overall value.
About the Author
Damon Zahariades is a renowned productivity expert and author based in Southern California. With a background in finance and investments, he transitioned from corporate America to become a celebrated writer and entrepreneur. Zahariades is known for his practical books on productivity and decision-making, such as "The Procrastination Cure" and "The Art of Saying NO," which have helped countless individuals enhance their personal and professional lives.
December 17, 2021
The average person makes 200 decisions per day about food alone, which means that we are all deeply immersed in decision hungry lifestyles, whether we realise it or not. So, this is potentially a very useful resource, showing how to think about decision making and what can be done to ensure that it works more effectively.
The book gives a good range of cognitive strategies and issues to be aware of, and it illustrates the examples well. For example when dealing with the ‘action bias’ and the tendency for people to prefer acting, rather than not acting, the author illustrates the issues by reference to goal keepers. When facing a penalty there is an overwhelming temptation for goal keepers to pick a side of the goal and dive towards it, as it feels better to be doing something rather than nothing (Kindle 16%). Yet, analysis suggests keepers have a better chance of saving a goal if they can refrain from acting and wait until they have enough information to try and intercept the ball.
Although the range and explanation of strategies in the book is informative and useful, there are some important background factors which the book does not explore. It notes that it is important to challenge assumptions, and check that what is assumed actually exists (56%), but some of our most fundamental assumptions cannot be checked in this way.
For example, some people assume that it is important to make rational sense, whilst others see such a requirement as just a human invention. Can that assumption be proved, or disproved?
And there are important assumptions about what constitutes truth, which impact significantly in debates about Identity Politics and Critical Theory. Those assumptions condition the very ability to think, and what will be counted as answers. Yet the book does not recognise the importance of pursuing issues at those ‘metaphysical’ depths.
Towards the end it also talks about the importance of following your personal values as a key factor in good decision making which will make people happy (81%). But what about if your values are ‘bad’ values? Some people value getting rich as their overall priority in life, regardless of the damage that it might do to personal relationships with family and friends. Are people in such a situation really to be commended and advised to follow their personal values? Surely it would be more appropriate to review their values? If so, then it would have been helpful if the book could have flagged up such a need, and perhaps indicated some strategies about how to pursue it.
Overall, this is a good book, as far as it goes. But I think even better decision making requires a little more thinking about the background thinking factors, which are all too often overlooked.
The book gives a good range of cognitive strategies and issues to be aware of, and it illustrates the examples well. For example when dealing with the ‘action bias’ and the tendency for people to prefer acting, rather than not acting, the author illustrates the issues by reference to goal keepers. When facing a penalty there is an overwhelming temptation for goal keepers to pick a side of the goal and dive towards it, as it feels better to be doing something rather than nothing (Kindle 16%). Yet, analysis suggests keepers have a better chance of saving a goal if they can refrain from acting and wait until they have enough information to try and intercept the ball.
Although the range and explanation of strategies in the book is informative and useful, there are some important background factors which the book does not explore. It notes that it is important to challenge assumptions, and check that what is assumed actually exists (56%), but some of our most fundamental assumptions cannot be checked in this way.
For example, some people assume that it is important to make rational sense, whilst others see such a requirement as just a human invention. Can that assumption be proved, or disproved?
And there are important assumptions about what constitutes truth, which impact significantly in debates about Identity Politics and Critical Theory. Those assumptions condition the very ability to think, and what will be counted as answers. Yet the book does not recognise the importance of pursuing issues at those ‘metaphysical’ depths.
Towards the end it also talks about the importance of following your personal values as a key factor in good decision making which will make people happy (81%). But what about if your values are ‘bad’ values? Some people value getting rich as their overall priority in life, regardless of the damage that it might do to personal relationships with family and friends. Are people in such a situation really to be commended and advised to follow their personal values? Surely it would be more appropriate to review their values? If so, then it would have been helpful if the book could have flagged up such a need, and perhaps indicated some strategies about how to pursue it.
Overall, this is a good book, as far as it goes. But I think even better decision making requires a little more thinking about the background thinking factors, which are all too often overlooked.
August 13, 2021
I really enjoyed this book as it completely challenged my thinking!
This book while also containing great information and statistics to reflect on , also has lots of actionable content and practical exercises that take you step by step through the tactics so I found that very useful.
The examples throughout the book were also very helpful to compare to my thinking and situations.
I loved how this book led into the topics of productivity that I always enjoy by this author that could impact other areas so very practical throughout and an enjoyable read.
Another great book from the author Damon Zahariades!
This book while also containing great information and statistics to reflect on , also has lots of actionable content and practical exercises that take you step by step through the tactics so I found that very useful.
The examples throughout the book were also very helpful to compare to my thinking and situations.
I loved how this book led into the topics of productivity that I always enjoy by this author that could impact other areas so very practical throughout and an enjoyable read.
Another great book from the author Damon Zahariades!
June 21, 2025
Decisions have consequences
This book was.very useful in giving !e several tools amd.techniques to.improve my decision making. I should read.it once a year to remind me of bias and some other problems that develop in my thinking. Lots to chew on.
This book was.very useful in giving !e several tools amd.techniques to.improve my decision making. I should read.it once a year to remind me of bias and some other problems that develop in my thinking. Lots to chew on.
July 8, 2022
enjoyed it
Really enjoyed this book it’s a little bit longer than some self help books but work it . Make sure you do the exercises 😀
Really enjoyed this book it’s a little bit longer than some self help books but work it . Make sure you do the exercises 😀
September 6, 2022
An absolute tool that provides a good insight to problem solving approaches. Would definitely recommend to those who are about to make a huge decision in their lives.
December 21, 2024
Solid "tool book" on decision making. Contains some really good questions we should ask before making a decision. Full review coming soon on my Substack page https://junwuz.substack.com/
February 16, 2022
I may have picked up one pointer on decision making. But I can’t remember what it was. I guess my next self help book should be on how to retain the best pointers in boring bookings.
August 13, 2021
Very good overview of the decision-making process. Includes useful exercises and questions. Easy to understand writing style.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews