This is a mental model I haven’t started yet. I bought a book about it yesterday, called the “The Decision Checklist”, and the first three chapters were good. My wife and I tried it, albeit not journaling but using the framework to discuss an important decision in our life, and we both got some value out of it. I used the framework at work today as well, and it helped me frame a complex issue to my team. The most important part for me is the review and reflection. Writing something down in my own handwriting has a powerful effect on how I rationalize what I wrote. Looking back on journals I kept five years ago, I’m often struck by just how different I was at the time. And instead of trying to rationalize it, I try and put myself back in the shoes I wore. When I read my words on a screen; however, I’m far more likely to disregard them as a moment of weakness or poor thought. It’s easier to skip through typed words. When you put the effort into writing by hand your brain puts the effort into analyzing it.
There is a glaring problem with decision journaling and that is the time it takes to really make it work. Writing by hand takes time, and if you make lots of decisions a day, which do you need to prioritize? Is that something you should journal? The best solution is to journal as many as you can, but who really has time for that? But if you are interested in trying it out, buy the book. It was $2.99. I think it’s well worth the effort for that much.