In the fast-paced chaos of daily life, we all rely on two mental “helpers” that shape our decisions: Dash and Deep. Dash acts quickly and impulsively, while Deep takes the time to think things through. The challenge lies in knowing when to let Dash take the lead and when to pause and give Deep the reins.
Take, for instance, a choice between a candy bar and an apple. Dash might scream, “Candy bar!” for instant gratification, but pausing lets Deep remind you of the long-term benefits of the apple. The trick is developing systems and habits to allow Deep to step in when it matters most.
This decision-making process is deeply tied to your identity. Visualizing your “future self” helps align daily actions with long-term goals. For example, when faced with a tough parenting moment, ask yourself: “What would Future Me do?” This small shift creates consistent growth over time.
Simple frameworks like the If/Then Rule, the 10-Minute Rule, or the Good/Bad/Better Test are tools that help you pause, reflect, and choose wisely. Remember, small, consistent changes pave the way for meaningful transformation.
Start Today
Here are 10 actions you can try out to improve your decision making.
- Start small: Identify one decision in your daily life where you can pause instead of reacting.
- Use an If/Then framework to plan ahead for common scenarios.
- Keep a decision journal to reflect on what worked and what didn’t.
- Visualize your identity: Write down who you want to be (e.g., “I am someone who prioritizes health and calmness”).
- Practice saying, “Let me think about that” to delay decisions under pressure.
- Set up default systems for recurring decisions (e.g., meal prep, automatic bill payments).
- Celebrate small wins to reinforce positive choices.
- Share decisions with accountability partners for feedback and support.
- Limit options when overwhelmed: Fewer choices lead to better focus.
- Create a habit loop: Cue (trigger to pause), Routine (pause and assess), Reward (confidence from a thoughtful choice).