Practical Resources

Small tools for everyday decisions

By Yossi Gerson

Use these short worksheets when a decision, a recurring task or a comparison needs a clearer next step. Copy the prompts into your own notes, fill them in, and keep only the detail that helps you act.

Examples are hypothetical. The worksheets are practical starting points and can be adapted to the situation.

A decision note you can reuse

Use this when two options both seem reasonable. Start with the outcome, then identify the difference that actually affects it.

I am choosing between: ______.

The outcome I want is: ______.

Both options must satisfy: ______.

The main tradeoff is: ______.

The unanswered question that could change my choice is: ______.

I will decide by: ______.

I will reconsider if: ______.

Worked example: an overnight visit

Outcome: enough time together without a rushed journey. Requirements: within the budget and back the following evening. Tradeoff: a longer visit farther away, or a shorter drive with more flexibility. Question to resolve: whether the nearer option is available on the intended date.

After deciding, keep the reason with the choice. If you revisit it, record what new fact changed the comparison.

When the choice is between two prices or plans, use the Offer Comparison Desk to compare required charges, usable quantities and cancellation terms before recording your decision.

Build a checklist for one recurring task

Start when: ______.

Finish when: ______.

Actions, in the order they will happen: ______.

Exceptions or unfinished items: ______.

Change after using it once: ______.

Make each item something you can see is finished. For example, replace “reservation” with “save the confirmation where it can be opened offline.” Put charging a device before packing it. Mark anything that must wait until morning rather than leaving its timing unclear.

Try the list once, then ask: What was missed? What needed explaining? What could be removed? Keep the revision short enough to use during the actual task.

Compare numbers without losing the context

Question this comparison should answer: ______.

Unit being counted: ______.

Period and cutoff time: ______.

Numerator, or part being measured: ______.

Denominator, or total it is compared with: ______.

Definitions that must remain the same: ______.

What the result establishes: ______.

What still needs investigation: ______.

Worked example

Week 1: 60 tasks completed out of 80 planned = 75%.

Week 2: 75 tasks completed out of 125 planned = 60%.

The completed count rose 25%, while the completion share fell 15 percentage points. Those are different comparisons. Before drawing a conclusion about productivity, check whether task size and the number of working days were comparable.

Keep the original counts beside a percentage so someone else can check both the calculation and its meaning.