Decision Register Framework

A structured decision-making framework used to document and learn from major life decisions. The goal is to improve judgment and decision-making capabilities over time.

Core Components of Decision Register

• Google Doc template tracking major decisions
• Documents both historical and current decisions
• Includes specific questions to analyze each decision
• Revisits decisions later to evaluate outcomes
• Aims to improve judgment 2-3x faster than normal

Key Questions in Framework

• What is the decision? (Tweet-length explanation)
• What alternatives were considered?
• Current emotional state
  • Options include: extreme fear, pessimism, neutral, boredom, fatigue, greed, extreme greed, FOMO
• Time spent thinking about decision
  • Options: hours, days, weeks, months, years
• What tipped you over the edge to decide?
• Secondary benefits of the decision
• Would you still make this decision without secondary benefits?
• Why do you think you're right?
• Why might you be wrong?
• Upside if right/downside if wrong
• Follow-up decisions needed for success
• Predicted outcome
• Date to revisit and evaluate

Implementation Tips

• Review decisions 2-3 times per year
• Takes couple hours twice yearly to maintain
• Back-fill historical major decisions when starting
• Focus on capturing one decisive reason for each decision
• Document both successful and unsuccessful decisions
• Set specific dates to revisit each decision

Example Decisions to Track

• Career changes
• Company sales/acquisitions
• Major investments
• Real estate decisions
• Business strategy shifts
• Personal life decisions

Benefits

• Creates structured learning from past decisions
• Forces articulation of decision rationale
• Provides framework for future decision-making
• Helps identify patterns in successful/unsuccessful choices
• Improves judgment through systematic review
• Creates accountability for decision outcomes