Higher testosterone (10x) gives men an advantage over women in rapid decision...

Higher testosterone (10x) gives men an advantage over women in rapid decision making by:

�Increasing our assertiveness �Decreasing agreeableness (less worry about what others think about our decisions) �Structuring the brain for order and hierarchy

Higher estrogen (10x) changes women’s perception of the world:

�Increased sensitivity = taking in more sense data �Too much information -> overwhelmed by choices �More sensitive (higher neuroticism) to the fear of failure

This is why you worry and get overwhelmed.

To make quick and good decisions you need a time budget.

It works just like a financial budget.

�You have limited time, yet �Unlimited possibility to spend it �Decisions to be made based on personal values and priority

This takes excessive emotions out of the equation.

Your time budget must be made BEFORE you are confronted with decisions that could distort your priorities.

To make a time budget you need to know your:

�Personal values (what/who matters to you) �Priorities (what/who matters MORE, hierarchy of value) �Schedule

When confronted with a choice set a time budget for making it based on the answers to these questions:

�When does the decision have to be finalised? �How much free time do I have to allocate to deciding? �How is this choice moving me closer to my values and goals?

Example: Choosing a menu for a Saturday family gathering.

�Finalised before going shopping Friday evening. �Allocate 1 hour to plan and think about it. �Must be enjoyable and healthy for all.

Setting boundaries on decision making time increases your decisiveness.

As soon as is reasonable do the relevant information gathering using 75% of the time allocated to making the decision.

Use the rest of the time to contemplate the options.

You will get 3 possible outcomes:

�No good options �No bad options �Obvious front runner(s)

How to pick:

�No good options Pick the least bad if forced. Pick nothing, forgo the opportunity if possible.

�No bad options Pick your preference or randomly.

�Obvious front runner(s) Pick from any front runner.

Listen to your gut instincts. Move on to other things.

This method of decision making will help you avoid procrastination, paralysis by analysis, fear of failure and the stress of thinking that “I just need to check one more option”.

With practice you will learn to easily decide, move on to the next thing and get more things done.

“What if I make a mistake?”

Yes, that happens from time to time.

We get new information and find out that old decisions were less the optimal.

Make peace with your mistake, learn from it and move on. You have too much going on in the future to be living in the past.