Too Many Choices?

Is your task list overwhelming? Can’t decide where to start? Would you rather just relax under a leafy tree and enjoy nature?

Forget the leafy tree and start using a decision tree.

In simple terms, a decision tree is a series of simple questions with instructions based on each answer. They can help you differentiate each task, the actions to accomplish it, and the possible results of the actions. Seeing future results of actions makes it easier to choose a direction and steps.

The decision tree may help you design the week ahead, or help with the steps of a project, or even plan a shopping trip. I even have one client who used to use a decision tree before leaving the house because what she needed to take with her depended on what day of the week it was.

Depending on the situation decision trees can range from incredibly simple (my client just had several PostIt Notes on her door asking questions) to extremely complex. While the complex ones can look scary, they really do simplify things because you just follow the path of your answers. The hardest part is sitting down the first time to figure out the steps, then you just have them.

For example, after moving to Mexico, I posted a decision tree on my bulletin board to help me learn how to make local- and long-distance phone calls. Let’s say I want to make a call:

Is the call from a land line or mobile? >Mobile.

Is it to a land line or mobile? >Land line.

Is the call local or long distance? >Long distance.

Within Mexico or abroad? Etc. Eventually, the questions lead to the correct numbers for the call.

It helps to draw the tree and even use color for different categories, tasks, or types of answers. And, your tree can grow! If you find a new answer to one of your questions, just add a branch!

Need help? Here I am.