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Satisficing

Satisficing is a decision-making strategy where you opt for a solution that meets your needs - even if it’s not the absolute best. Instead of exhaustively analyzing every option in search of the optimal, you choose the first option that’s good enough.

Coined by economist and cognitive psychologist Herbert A. Simon in the 1950s, satisficing blends two ideas: satisfy and suffice. Simon argued that in real life, we rarely have perfect information or unlimited time. So, rather than trying to maximize every outcome, it’s often more rational to satisfice - to choose what works and move on.

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BATNA

In simple terms, BATNA is your backup plan - the course of action you’ll take if the current negotiation fails. It’s not just about walking away; it’s about walking away to something better.

Knowing your BATNA gives you confidence, clarity, and leverage. Without it, you risk agreeing to unfavorable terms simply out of fear, pressure, or uncertainty. The stronger your BATNA, the stronger your negotiation position.

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Hell Yeah Or No

Hell Yeah or No is a mental filter for decision-making, designed to help you protect your time, energy, and focus. The concept was popularized by entrepreneur and author Derek Sivers, who argued that if you're not enthusiastically saying "Hell yeah!" to something, you should feel free to say "no."

This model is especially powerful in a world where burnout, decision fatigue, and FOMO are the norm. Most people are overwhelmed not because they have too little time, but because they say yes to too many things that don’t matter.

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The Door Test

The door test is used to distinguish between decisions that are difficult to reverse or have long-lasting consequences (one-way door decisions) and those that can be easily reversed or corrected (two-way door decisions).

One-way door decisions need to be made carefully whereas two-way door decisions can be made quickly or automated using rules.

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Higher Order Decisions

We are constantly faced with problems to solve and decisions to make. A helpful tool when faced with multiple tasks at hand is to ask yourself: What is the one thing I can do that will make everything else easier or unnecessary?

This helps unpack and prioritise the tasks at hand and determines the right sequence to do them in order to achieve maximum results with the least amount of effort.

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Cost Per Use

Cost per use is an effective model to alleviate the cognitive load of making purchasing decisions.

The value of an item is directly related to how much use you can get out of it. This helps you determine if spending more money would make sense. The more you use something, the more you should expect to pay for it.

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Regret Minimization

Regret minimization is a decision-making principle that encourages individuals to make choices in a way that minimizes the potential for future regrets.

It's often associated with life and career decisions, particularly when making choices that involve risks or significant changes.

The idea is to make choices that align with your long-term goals, values, and desires, so you are less likely to look back with regret in the future.

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