How to Improve Your Decision Making

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For writers, every word is a decision. Every plot twist, character motivation, and stylistic choice hinges on a robust decision-making process. The blank page, far from being a void, is a landscape of countless options, each demanding a conscious, well-reasoned selection. Yet, many of us, in both our creative and personal lives, grapple with indecision, regret bad choices, or find ourselves paralyzed by the sheer volume of possibilities. This guide isn’t about quick fixes; it’s a deep dive into the architecture of better decisions, providing actionable frameworks and real-world examples specifically tailored to the analytical and creative mind of a writer.

The Tyranny of the Blank Page: Why Decisions Matter So Much for Writers

Writing isn’t merely stringing words together; it’s a relentless series of high-stakes choices. Do I use a metaphor here or a simile? Is this character’s motivation believable? Should I kill off the protagonist in chapter three or chapter ten? Each decision, however small, ripples through the narrative, impacting pace, tone, and emotional resonance. A poorly made decision can derail an entire manuscript, leading to rewrites, self-doubt, and ultimately, artistic stagnation. Optimizing your decision-making process isn’t just about efficiency; it’s about unlocking creative flow, building confidence, and producing your best work consistently.

Unmasking the Saboteurs: Recognizing Cognitive Biases in Your Creative Process

Our brains, marvelously complex as they are, are wired with shortcuts that, while efficient, often lead us astray. These “cognitive biases” are predictable patterns of irrationality that distort our perception and skew our choices. For writers, understanding them is paramount, as they often manifest subtly within our creative judgments.

Confirmation Bias: The Echo Chamber of Your Ideas

This bias is the tendency to seek out, interpret, and remember information that confirms our existing beliefs or hypotheses. As a writer, you might develop a strong attachment to a particular plot point early on. Confirmation bias then leads you to actively search for evidence within your story to support that choice, while inadvertently downplaying or ignoring contradictory signs that it might not be working.

  • Example for Writers: You’ve decided your villain should be a morally conflicted, redeemable character. Instead of objectively assessing if their actions truly justify conflict, you might highlight only their moments of tenderness or past trauma, ignoring their unprovoked cruelty simply to fit your initial perception.
  • Actionable Step: Employ a “Devil’s Advocate” exercise. When you’ve made a significant plot or character decision, actively try to discredit it. List three strong reasons why it wouldn’t work. This forces you to engage with opposing viewpoints you might otherwise dismiss. Solicit feedback specifically asking for reasons not to do something.

Anchoring Bias: The First Impression Trap

Anchoring bias occurs when we rely too heavily on the first piece of information offered (the “anchor”) when making subsequent decisions. This initial piece of data disproportionately influences our final judgment, even if it’s irrelevant or arbitrary.

  • Example for Writers: You outline the first three chapters detailing a slow, atmospheric beginning. This initial choice (the anchor) might then unconsciously dictate your pacing for the entire novel, even if the natural progression of the story demands a more accelerated pace later on. Or, a beta reader’s very first (and perhaps off-the-cuff) comment on a scene becomes the unshakeable “truth” you work from.
  • Actionable Step: Actively seek multiple data points before committing. For pacing, brainstorm three distinct pacing strategies for your whole novel before writing page one. For feedback, gather 3-5 opinions before making a judgment, and try to give equal weight to each. When revising, challenge your initial instincts for a scene by asking, “What if I approached this from a completely different angle?”

Sunk Cost Fallacy: The Love of Your Labor

This bias leads us to continue investing time, money, or effort into a project or decision simply because of the resources we’ve already committed, even if continuing is irrational. For writers, this often manifests as an inability to cut scenes, characters, or even entire manuscripts that aren’t working.

  • Example for Writers: You’ve spent three months meticulously crafting a subplot that, upon reflection, adds nothing to the main narrative and actually slows the pace. Despite knowing it’s a weakness, you resist cutting it because of the “effort” you’ve already put in. This is editing with your heart, not your head.
  • Actionable Step: Frame decisions as if they are new. Ask yourself: “If I hadn’t already written this, would I choose to write it now?” For challenging cuts, physically move the scene (don’t delete!) to a “deleted scenes” document. This mental separation can make it easier to decide it’s not truly lost, just archived. Prioritize the reader’s experience over your personal investment.

The Narrative Fallacy: Imposing Order on Chaos

Our brains crave coherent stories, even when events are random or disconnected. The narrative fallacy makes us retrospectively construct logical explanations for past events, sometimes leading to oversimplification or misinterpretation.

  • Example for Writers: After a novel is published and receives praise, you might retroactively create a “narrative” of your meticulous planning and foresight, ignoring the moments of panic, random inspiration, or sheer luck that truly led to its success. This can lead to flawed decision-making for future projects, assuming a linear, predictable path where none exists.
  • Actionable Step: Maintain a “decision journal” (digital or physical). When you make a significant creative choice (e.g., changing POV, adding a major character), jot down why you chose it at that moment, including your perceived risks and benefits. Later, you can review it to see if your initial reasoning held up, helping you learn from both successes and failures without the distortion of hindsight.

The Architect’s Blueprint: Building a Robust Decision-Making Framework

Beyond identifying biases, a structured approach to decision-making provides clarity and reduces emotional impulsiveness. Think of it as a set of tools in your writer’s kit, ready for any narrative quandary.

1. Define the Problem (or Opportunity) with Precision

Hazy problems lead to hazy solutions. Before you can make a good decision, you must clearly articulate what decision needs to be made and why.

  • How: Don’t just say, “My story feels flat.” Ask: “What specific element of my story feels flat? Is it the characters? The plot? The emotional stakes? Why is this a problem for the reader?” Rephrase the problem as a question that can be answered with a choice: “Should my protagonist be proactive or reactive in the inciting incident?”
  • Example for Writers: Instead of “My novel isn’t working,” try: “The second act of my novel is dragging. The protagonist’s goals feel unclear, and the stakes aren’t escalating. My decision is: How can I restructure this act to increase pacing, clarify motivation, and raise the stakes?”
  • Actionable Step: Write down the problem in a single, concise sentence. Then, list 3-5 constraints or assumptions related to that problem (e.g., “I cannot add more than 10,000 words,” “The antagonist must remain alive until the climax”).

2. Gather Relevant Information – And Only Relevant Information

Information is power, but too much information leads to analysis paralysis. Focus on what directly impacts your decision.

  • How: Identify the key variables for your decision. For a character choice, this might be their backstory, internal conflict, and desired impact on the plot. Avoid researching every mythological creature if you just need one specific detail for a minor character.
  • Example for Writers: Deciding on a fantasy world’s magic system. Instead of researching every real-world religion and historical magic practice, identify your story’s needs: “Does magic need to be rare or common? Inherited or learned? With precise rules or more mystical? What are the consequences of using magic?” Focus your research on systems that align with answering these specific questions.
  • Actionable Step: Before researching, create a specific list of 3-5 questions you need answered to make the decision. If a piece of information doesn’t help answer one of those questions, set it aside.

3. Brainstorm Multiple Viable Options

Often, we default to the first solution that comes to mind. Breaking this habit is crucial. Force yourself to generate several distinct alternatives, even if some initially seem unappealing.

  • How: Use techniques like “mind mapping,” “freewriting,” or the “SCAMPER” method (Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate, Reverse) tailored for creative problems. Don’t self-censor during this phase.
  • Example for Writers: The protagonist needs to acquire a critical piece of information.
    • Option 1 (Default): They overhear it in a tavern.
    • Option 2: They find it hidden in an old letter.
    • Option 3: They are given it by a mysterious stranger (who might have ulterior motives).
    • Option 4: They have to steal it from a heavily guarded location.
    • Option 5: They already possess the information but misunderstood its significance until a new revelation.
    • Each option changes the trajectory and tension of the scene.
  • Actionable Step: For any major decision, commit to generating at least three, distinctly different, plausible solutions before evaluating any of them. Write down each option explicitly.

4. Evaluate Options Against Criteria

This is where objective analysis comes into play. Develop a set of criteria (weighted if necessary) against which you’ll measure each option.

  • How: Your criteria should directly relate to the problem you defined in Step 1. For a plot decision, criteria might include: “Does it advance the plot? Is it emotionally resonant? Does it maintain pace? Is it believable within the world’s rules?” Assign a simple scale (e.g., 1-5, or Yes/No/Partial) for each criterion for each option.
  • Example for Writers: Deciding between two possible endings for a novel.
    • Criteria:
      1. Resolves main conflict satisfactorily.
      2. Leaves room for sequel (if desired).
      3. Provides emotional payoff for reader.
      4. Is surprising but earned.
      5. Aligns with character arcs.
    • Option A (Tragic End): Resolves conflict (4), Leaves room (2), Emotional payoff (5), Surprising (5), Character arcs (5).
    • Option B (Hopeful End): Resolves conflict (5), Leaves room (5), Emotional payoff (4), Surprising (3), Character arcs (4).
    • This systematic comparison forces you to see strengths and weaknesses objectively.
  • Actionable Step: Create a simple matrix (table) with your options as rows and your criteria as columns. Score each option against each criterion. This visual aid makes trade-offs apparent.

5. Consider the Potential Consequences (Pros & Cons, Best & Worst Cases)

Every decision has ripple effects. Think through not just the immediate benefits, but also the potential negative outcomes and unintended consequences.

  • How: For each top option, perform a mini “SWOT” analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) specifically for that choice. Also, consider “What’s the worst that could happen if I choose this? What’s the best?”
  • Example for Writers: Deciding to implement a major flashback sequence.
    • Pros: Adds depth to character, explains motivation, provides crucial world-building.
    • Cons: Disrupts present-day pacing, might feel like an info-dump, risks confusing reader.
    • Worst Case: Reader gets bored, skips section, loses track of main plot.
    • Best Case: Provides profound emotional resonance, elevates understanding of current events.
  • Actionable Step: For your top 1-2 options, explicitly list 3-5 pros and 3-5 cons. Then, imagine the absolute best outcome for the narrative and the absolute worst outcome for each.

6. Make the Decision – With a Bias Towards Action

Once you’ve done your due diligence, make the choice. Don’t fall into the trap of endless deliberation. Often, a good decision made promptly is better than a perfect decision made too late (or never).

  • How: Review your analysis. If one option clearly stands out, great. If it’s close, trust your educated intuition. Remind yourself that most creative decisions are reversible or adjustable. The cost of indecision is often greater than the cost of a slightly imperfect choice.
  • Example for Writers: After weighing the two endings, you decide on the tragic one. Even if there’s a slight apprehension about the “sequel room” aspect, the emotional payoff and character arc alignment felt stronger. The key is to then move forward. Write that ending, and see how it feels on the page.
  • Actionable Step: Set a deadline for making the decision. Once the deadline passes, commit to an option, even if it feels 80% rather than 100% “right.” The act of implementing the decision often reveals its true merits or flaws.

7. Implement and Learn: The Iterative Loop

Decision-making isn’t a one-and-done event. It’s a continuous loop of action, observation, and refinement.

  • How: Once you’ve implemented your decision (e.g., written the scene, committed to the character arc), observe its effects. Does it create new problems? Does it meet your initial expectations? This feedback loop is essential for refining your process over time.
  • Example for Writers: You committed to the tragic ending. You write it. During the next draft review, or through beta reader feedback, you notice readers aren’t emotionally satisfied, or they feel it came out of left field. This feedback is not a failure of your initial decision, but new information for the next iteration. You might then decide to foreshadow the tragic ending more explicitly or adjust it slightly to soften the blow without compromising the core idea.
  • Actionable Step: After a significant decision is implemented, schedule a check-in. Ask: “Did this decision achieve what I hoped? What unexpected consequences arose? What did I learn about my own decision-making process from this?” Document these learnings.

The Power of the Pause: Mindfulness and Intuition in Decision Making

While frameworks are critical, ignoring the subtle whispers of your intuition and the broader landscape of your mental state is foolish.

Cultivating Self-Awareness of Your State

Our mood, energy levels, and emotional state significantly influence our decisions. Writing under stress or exhaustion can lead to rushed, suboptimal choices.

  • How: Before tackling a major creative decision, do a quick “body scan” or mental check-in. Are you tired? Stressed? Overly optimistic? Acknowledge these states. If you’re in a highly compromised emotional state, consider postponing the decision or simplifying it.
  • Example for Writers: You’re on a deadline, exhausted, and a plot hole suddenly appears. Your immediate instinct might be to “Frankenstein” a quick fix to just get it done. Recognizing your exhaustion allows you to say, “I’m too tired to tackle this complex problem right now. I’ll make a placeholder note and revisit it when I’m fresh.”
  • Actionable Step: Implement a “decision trigger.” If you feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or significantly tired, make a conscious rule: do not make irreversible decisions. Instead, simply gather information or brainstorm.

The Role of Intuition: When to Listen, When to Question

Intuition, that “gut feeling,” isn’t magic. It’s a rapid pattern recognition system built on vast amounts of stored experience. For experienced writers, intuition can be a powerful guide.

  • How: Differentiate between genuine intuition (a quiet nudge based on years of reading and writing experience) and mere impulse (a sudden, unreasoned urge). Intuition often manifests after you’ve consciously processed some information; impulse can come out of nowhere.
  • Example for Writers: You’ve outlined a scene logically, but a nagging feeling suggests a character wouldn’t truly react that way. This isn’t just doubt; it’s your subconscious drawing on every book you’ve read and every person you’ve observed, signaling a potential inconsistency. Listen to this.
  • Actionable Step: When you have a strong intuitive hit, don’t dismiss it. But don’t blindly follow it either. Instead, use it as a signal to go back to Step 1: “What problem is my intuition trying to highlight here? What information am I subconsciously reacting to?” Then, apply the framework to explore that intuitive insight more rigorously.

The Power of Proximity vs. Distance: Zoom In, Zoom Out

Sometimes you’re too close to see the forest for the trees; other times, you’re so far out you miss crucial details. Learning to adjust your perspective is key.

  • How:
    • Zoom In: Focus intensely on a single paragraph, a single line of dialogue, or a specific character emotion.
    • Zoom Out: Read your entire manuscript in one sitting, or outline your plot on a single page to see the big picture. Imagine your ideal reader’s experience.
    • Get External: Discuss your problem with a trusted critique partner or mentor. They offer an entirely new perspective.
  • Example for Writers: You’re agonizing over the exact wording of a sentence (zooming in). You’ve rewritten it ten times. Stepping back and reading the entire paragraph (zooming out) might reveal the problem isn’t the single sentence, but the entire paragraph being redundant. Or, a conversation with a beta reader reveals a plot hole you missed because you were too close to the details.
  • Actionable Step: When stuck on a decision, consciously shift your perspective. If you’ve been editing a sentence for an hour, close the document and outline the entire chapter. If you’re lost in the overall plot, pick one character and free-write from their perspective for ten minutes.

The Decisive Edge: Making Decisions Under Pressure

Writers often face deadlines, creative blocks, and critical feedback – all pressure points that demand decisive action.

Prioritization: The Urgent vs. The Important

Not all decisions are created equal. Some require deep thought; others need immediate attention.

  • How: Use a matrix (like the Eisenhower Matrix) to categorize tasks/decisions:
    • Important & Urgent: Do now. (e.g., Fixing a gaping plot hole before sending to editor).
    • Important & Not Urgent: Schedule. (e.g., Devising a new long-term series arc).
    • Not Important & Urgent: Delegate or minimize. (e.g., Responding to an email that isn’t crucial but demands immediate attention).
    • Not Important & Not Urgent: Eliminate. (e.g., Endless tweaking of a social media post when manuscript is due).
  • Example for Writers: An editor flags a continuity error in chapter 5 that impacts subsequent chapters (Important & Urgent). Designing the cover art for next year’s book (Important & Not Urgent). Replying to every single twitter comment (Not Important & Urgent). Researching every historical detail of medieval shoemaking for a minor character in a contemporary novel (Not Important & Not Urgent).
  • Actionable Step: At the start of each writing session, list 3-5 key decisions you need to make. Categorize them using the matrix. Tackle the “Important & Urgent” first.

Embracing Iteration Over Perfection

The pursuit of the “perfect” decision often leads to paralysis. In creative work, “good enough” is often the springboard to “great.”

  • How: Understand that decisions, especially in writing, are often starting points for refinement. A first draft isn’t a final product; it’s a series of implemented decisions that will be revised.
  • Example for Writers: You’re stuck on the perfect phrase for a character’s internal monologue. Instead of waiting for divine inspiration, choose a “good enough” phrase, write it down, and move on. You can always return to it in later drafts. The decision to write something is more valuable than endless deliberation.
  • Actionable Step: When faced with a minor decision that’s holding you up, set a 2-minute timer. Pick the best option within that time frame, implement it, and continue writing. Trust that you can revise later.

The Art of “Satisficing”: Choosing Good Enough

“Satisficing” is a portmanteau of “satisfy” and “suffice.” It means choosing the first option that meets an acceptable threshold, rather than exhaustively searching for the absolute best one.

  • How: For less critical decisions, define your “acceptable threshold” beforehand. Once an option meets that, choose it and move on. This conserves mental energy for higher-stakes choices.
  • Example for Writers: Naming a minor supporting character. Instead of spending hours scouring baby name sites for the “perfect” name that subtly hints at their hidden past, pick one that sounds appropriate and doesn’t distract. It satisfies the need and suffices for the role.
  • Actionable Step: Identify 1-2 trivial decisions you tend to overthink in your writing process. For these, explicitly commit to a “satisficing” approach for the next week. Notice how much mental energy you reclaim.

The Unwritten Rule: Continuous Improvement

Decision-making is a skill, and like any skill, it improves with practice, reflection, and deliberate effort. The most successful writers aren’t those who never make a bad decision, but those who learn from every choice, refine their process, and keep writing. Embrace the iterative nature of creativity and the constant opportunity for growth. Your words, and your future as a writer, depend on it.