In it, you record only your important decisions and feelings from them. It can be kept in a paper notebook, in a file on a computer or in another convenient way.
That's what you should write in it anyway, when you make the next decision:
Unlike a decision matrix or a list of pros and cons, a diary will not help you make a choice. It is needed for another purpose: understanding and improving your very approach to solutions. By fixing and regularly evaluating them, you will better understand your thinking, and also notice what you usually tend to by default and what traps you most often fall into.
For example, you will see that during times of stress or with a tight deadline, you act irrationally. Knowing about your reaction, you will be able to "lay the straw" in similar situations in the future.
Keeping such a diary will also help to combat cognitive distortion called "hindsight error". It is as follows: what has already happened always seems obvious and predictable to us. We even begin to believe that this is what we thought from the very beginning, which means that we can also foresee events in the future. This leads to unreasonable self-confidence and various misconceptions.
It is very important to understand exactly where you made a mistake and why. Such information will help you correct your mistakes and make better decisions. And the diary is just the perfect assistant for this.
Keeping a diary should not be a burden or another item on the to-do list, next to which you need to tick in the evening. It makes no sense to write down in it thoughts about what to eat for lunch or what movie to watch with friends. Leave a diary for big decisions with serious consequences that require reflection and evaluation (for example, a job change, a major purchase, a choice of specialty).
Remember that you have to reread old records and analyze your choice. And it will be more convenient if the notes are written concisely. Use short sentences, simple language, and clear descriptions of your expectations and emotions. So then it is easier to extract useful information from the diary.
This will simplify the process and also help you focus on the most important things. Here are the main points:
For example, you decided to move to another city and want to record it in your diary. Here's what the entry might look like:
You can supplement this template with items that seem important to you. But try not to make it too long, otherwise you risk going into lengthy discussions. If you want to describe all the doubts and feelings associated with the decision, do it in a regular diary, and leave only the main points here.
It is usually difficult to express constructive criticism to yourself. The diary will assume the role of an objective observer, on whom you can rely, and will give you the opportunity to look at the decisions made from the outside.
Try to review the records regularly, at least once a quarter. Set aside half an hour or an hour for this and answer these questions:
In the process, you will notice your misconceptions, strengths, and areas in which you need to grow. And the more often you record and analyze decisions, the better the decision-making process will be.
