Jovian insight Book Summary.
One Decision (2020) is a guide to understanding the various thinking patterns that determine whether we see obstacles or opportunities. It breaks down why we often base decisions on the bleak outlook created by rigidity and confusion and provides practical tools for fostering an opportunity mindset and making life-changing decisions.
Lesson 1: There are opportunities to discover even in pitch dark if you know how to look for them.
When you focus on the opportunities, you become optimistic and solutions-oriented. You start looking for solutions instead of focusing on the problems that are right in front of your face.
I know that sounds pretty obvious, but think about it for a minute. We often convince ourselves that we know what’s going to happen next. Do you think that’s not the case? How many times have you postponed asking for a raise or going for a routine check-up on your health?
If you can think of a few occasions right away, it’s clear that you too, just like the rest of the humans, are wired to stay in your comfort zone of assumptions. What’s worse, we then make decisions based on those predictions—but more often than not, those predictions are not based on facts.
This is why it is crucial to stay focused on all the possible outcomes and how they could play out, as well as the solutions associated with all the scenarios. Then, just try to play out the best possible scenario for your situation.
Lesson 2: A mind that’s trained to adapt to different situations and stay neutral can navigate life more easily.
If you’re not careful, you might fall into the trap of overgeneralizing. This is when you decide based on very little evidence and apply it to a larger context—like deciding that all women are bad drivers because one woman almost hit you while driving on the highway.
To avoid this pitfall, zoom out from single events or stereotypes. In other words, be objective! This means you shouldn’t make a decision based on singular facts, but rather average them out and leave subjectivity aside, even if it’s not convenient on the spot.
In addendum, learn the skill of adaptability. Life is likely going to push you into new and unthinkable scenarios, regardless of your routine. If you want to come out stronger on the other side, you must learn to adapt.
For example, you might be inclined to think that girls are better dancers. One day, you decide to take dance lessons yourself, and on your first day, you see that your instructor is a man. Besides overgeneralizing, not being flexible can spoil that experience for you.
You might think that you chose the wrong class or that the professor is not going to provide you with any valuable lessons. However, these are all products of a rigid mind that won’t try out things. before opinionating. Keep an open mind if you want to navigate life more easily!
Lesson 3: Before making any decisions, make sure to fact-check all your data and perhaps ask your team for a second opinion.
Whether you’re a CEO or just trying to figure out what to have for dinner, making decisions is an important part of life. While it may seem intimidating at first, there are some basic steps you can take to make the process easier and more effective.
First, put together a team to guide and support you in your decisions. This could mean an advisory council of trusted experts, or simply a few people who are willing to help you think through different options. People can be the most valuable asset you have at times, especially if they’re the right ones.
Second, always base your decisions on facts, not emotions. It’s easy to let strong feelings influence our decision-making—but this is not always beneficial! Instead of letting feelings lead the way, try taking some time to reflect on what data is available before making any decisions that have real-world consequences.
Finally, never decide without having all the necessary information at hand. If there are unknown details about how something works or how much it costs, don’t assume anything; always ask questions until everything is crystal clear!
