Three-Box Decision Framework
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John Allen, a former Navy SEAL turned content creator, shares his framework for evaluating opportunities and making decisions in life.
Core Decision Framework
- Uses three key criteria to evaluate opportunities:
- Must be challenging enough to feel proud when accomplished
- Should come with recognition for the achievement
- Must have some level of personal enjoyment in doing it
Framework Application Examples
Navy SEALs
- Checked all three boxes:
- Extremely challenging to graduate
- Comes with high recognition/respect
- Provided personal satisfaction
- Helped overcome previous college struggles
Content Creation
- Applied same framework to social media:
- Saw it as a significant challenge to get noticed
- Potential for recognition if successful
- Enjoyed the storytelling aspect
- Initially aimed for supplemental income vs. empire building
Current Business Vision
- Aims to make Ballin Studios the "Boston Red Sox of storytelling"
- Want to be the premier destination for top storytellers
- Seeking to create the highest prestige platform for storytellers
- Goal is to be the definitive "stamp of approval" in storytelling
- Currently has 50+ employees and multiple shows
Framework Benefits
- Provides clear decision-making criteria
- Helps avoid overthinking opportunities
- Focuses on meaningful challenges vs. easy wins
- Balances personal satisfaction with external validation
- Creates sustainable motivation through multiple reward factors