Decision Journal Template: Track Outcomes, Improve Choices

A decision journal is your secret weapon for making smarter choices. Here's what you need to know:

• It's a simple tool to record and analyze your decisions
• Helps beat hindsight bias and improves future choices
• Includes date, decision details, expected vs. actual results, and lessons learned

5 decision journal templates to try:

1. Simple Tracker
2. Detailed Analysis
3. Visual Map
4. Probability Log
5. Emotion-Aware Journal

Key tips for success:

• Write regularly
• Review often
• Adjust your template as needed
• Use feedback to improve

Common mistakes to avoid:

• Overcomplicating your journal
• Forgetting to review entries
• Fixating only on results

Tools to help:

• Computer programs: Life Note, Notion, Evernote
• Phone apps: Day One, Daylio, Grid Diary
• Work integration: ClickUp, Geekbot

Start today and watch your decision-making skills improve over time. Your future self will thank you.

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Key Parts of a Decision Journal

A decision journal tracks your choices. Here's what to include:

1. Date and Setting

Note when and where you decided. For example:

"July 19, 2023 - Home office, 10:30 AM"

2. Decision Details

State your decision and options clearly:

"Decision: Cut down on fast food Options:

• Quit completely
• Eat once a week
• Keep current habits"

3. Expected vs. Actual Results

Predict outcomes, then compare later:

"Expected: Save $200/month, lose 5 lbs in 30 days Actual: (Fill in after 30 days)"

4. Thoughts and Lessons

Reflect on your process:

"Time pressure rushed my decision. Next time, I'll set aside time for big choices."

To boost your journal's value:

• Use a template
• Focus on big decisions
• Review every six months
• Be honest

Nobel Prize winner Daniel Kahneman says:

"Go down to a local drugstore and buy a very cheap notebook and start keeping track of your decisions."

5 Decision Journal Templates

Here are five decision journal templates to boost your decision-making skills:

1. Simple Tracker

Perfect for beginners:

2. Detailed Analysis

For a deeper dive:

1. Decision Details

• Date and time:
• Decision to be made:
• Context:
• Mental and physical state:

2. Options Considered

• Option 1:
• Option 2:
• Option 3:

3. Pros and Cons

• Option 1 pros/cons:
• Option 2 pros/cons:
• Option 3 pros/cons:

4. Expected Outcome

• Short-term:
• Long-term:

5. Actual Outcome (fill later)

• Short-term results:
• Long-term results:

6. Reflection

• What worked:
• What didn't:
• Future lessons:

3. Visual Map

For visual thinkers:

[Decision]
├── [Option 1]
│   ├── [Outcome 1]
│   └── [Outcome 2]
├── [Option 2]
│   ├── [Outcome 1]
│   └── [Outcome 2]
└── [Option 3]
    ├── [Outcome 1]
    └── [Outcome 2]

Add notes and probabilities to each branch.

4. Probability Log

For risk assessment:

5. Emotion-Aware Journal

Track how feelings affect choices:

1. Decision Context

• Date:
• Decision:
• Current mood:

2. Emotion Check

• Feelings about each option:
• Emotional bias check:
• Alternative choice if mood was different:

3. Rational Analysis

• Pros/cons of options:
• Expected outcomes:

4. Final Choice

• Decision:
• Reasoning:
• Post-decision mood:

5. Follow-up (fill later)

• Actual outcome:
• Emotional response:
• Lessons learned:

Choose a template that suits you. The goal? Better decisions over time.

Tips for Using Decision Journals

Here's how to make the most of your decision journal:

1. Write Regularly

Set a weekly time to jot down your big decisions. This helps you track your thinking, spot patterns, and build a useful record.

2. Review Often

Don't just write and forget. Look back at your entries every few months. You'll catch mistakes, see what works, and learn from the past.

Daniel Kahneman, Nobel Prize winner, says:

"The key to doing this is that it prevents something called hindsight bias, which is no matter what happens in the world, we tend to look back on our decision-making process, and we tilt it in a way that looks more favorable to us."

3. Adjust Your Template

As your needs change, tweak your journal template. Focus on what matters now, add or remove sections, and keep it interesting.

4. Use Feedback to Improve

Turn your journal into a learning tool. Use past insights for future decisions, know your strengths and weaknesses, and work on your weak spots.

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Tools for Decision Journaling

Let's look at some tools to make decision journaling easier:

Computer Programs

Notion and Evernote are great for organizing your decision journal. They let you create templates, tag entries, and add files.

Notion offers 6 months free and unlimited AI use for decision journaling. This can help you spot patterns in your choices.

Phone Apps

For tracking decisions on the go, try these:

These apps make it easy to record decisions anywhere. Mood tracking can add context to your choices.

Work Integration

Linking your decision journal to work tools can boost productivity:

• ClickUp has templates for decision-making frameworks and trees.
• Geekbot sends journal prompts through Slack or Microsoft Teams.

Michael Pryor, Trello's CEO, says:

"Integrating decision journaling into our project management tools improved team decision-making speed and quality by 20%."

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Decision journaling can be a game-changer, but it's easy to mess up. Here are the big pitfalls and how to dodge them:

1. Overcomplicating Things

People often make their journals too complex. This leads to inconsistent use or giving up entirely.

The fix:

• Keep it simple: decision, expected outcome, actual result
• Use a basic template or app
• Set a time limit (5-10 minutes per entry)

2. Forgetting to Review

What's the point of a journal if you never look at it?

The fix:

• Schedule regular reviews (weekly or monthly)
• Set calendar reminders
• Pair reviews with other habits (like monthly goal-setting)

3. Fixating on Results

Only looking at outcomes misses half the picture.

The fix:

• Write down your thought process and assumptions
• Note external factors that swayed your decision
• Think about what you'd do differently next time

"If you fail to keep score accurately, you can't possibly expect to win the game." - Author Unknown

This quote nails it. To improve, you need to track both your process and your results.

Seeing the Effects of Decision Journaling

Decision journaling isn't just about writing stuff down. It's about seeing real changes in how you make choices. Let's look at the impact and long-term benefits.

1. Measuring Progress

To know if your decision journal is working, track these things:

Fill this out every few months. Look at the outcomes, not just how you feel. Did that project you approved actually boost sales? Did that new hire perform as expected?

2. Long-Term Gains

Over time, decision journaling can lead to big improvements:

• You'll spot trends in your decision-making
• You'll catch and fix your biases
• Your whole team can make smarter choices if you share your journal

A study found that managers using decision logs saw a 20% boost in overall performance. That's huge!

"Decisions drive action across your company far beyond the effort that goes into them, so your decision making habits have an outsized impact on your work."

This quote nails why tracking decisions matters. It's not just about you—it affects your whole team or company.

Stick with your journal for at least 6 months. That's when the real benefits kick in. It's not just about better choices. It's about understanding yourself and becoming a stronger leader.

Wrap-Up

A decision journal is your secret weapon for better choices. Here's why it matters:

• It's your personal decision database
• It helps you spot patterns in your thinking
• It's a shield against hindsight bias

By keeping track, you'll:

Ready to start? Here's how:

1. Pick your tool (app or notebook)

2. Focus on the big stuff (job changes, major purchases, life shifts)

3. Write down:

• When and why you're deciding
• Your options
• What you chose
• What you think will happen
• What actually happens (fill this in later)

Pro tip: Check your journal every few months. It's like a feedback loop for your brain.

Remember, this isn't about beating yourself up. It's about getting better, one decision at a time.

"A decision journal is like a GPS for your choices. It shows where you've been and helps you navigate where you're going."

Start today. Your future self will thank you.

FAQs

How to journal for decision-making?

Here's how to journal for decision-making:

1. Pick a format (paper or digital)
2. Focus on big decisions
3. Write down:
   • Decision details
   • Expected outcomes
   • Your reasons
   • Your feelings

Keep it simple. A complex system? You might not use it.

Does journaling help with decision-making?

Yes, but not how you'd think. It's not for in-the-moment choices. Instead, it:

• Improves your process over time
• Reveals thinking patterns
• Guards against hindsight bias

"A decision journal refines your process for future choices, rather than helping you decide right now."

How do you write a decision journal?

To write a decision journal:

1. Date and context

Jot down when and where you're making the decision.

2. Decision details

Describe what you're deciding on.

3. Options

List all your choices.

4. Your pick

Explain which option you chose and why.

5. Expected outcomes

What do you think will happen?

6. Current feelings

How do you feel about this decision?

7. Actual results

Come back later and fill this in.

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