Nothing has proved to be better than the way Ben Franklin decided things:
“My way is to divide half a sheet of paper by a line into two columns; writing over the one Pro and over the other Con. Then during three or four days’ consideration, I put down under the different heads short hints of the different motives, that at different time occur to me, for or against the measure. When I have thus got them altogether in one view, I endeavor to estimate their respective weights; and where I find two, one on each side, that seem equal, I strike them both out. If I judge some two reasons con equal to some three reasons pro, I strike out five; and thus proceeding, I find where the balance lies; and if after a day or two of further consideration, nothing new that is of importance occurs on either side, I come to a determination accordingly.”
- Two columns (pro/con)
- Take 3 days to consider
- Assign weights but if two are equal strike them both out
- If it’s close, throw both pros and cons out and figure out where the balance lies.
- If nothing new can be added to your list, you have come to a determination.
The best decisions result from weighing the evidence pro and con.
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