Day 26: How to Evaluate a Past Decision (Without Regret)

Don’t judge a decision by its outcome – judge it by how it was made.

THINGS TO CONSIDER

KEY INSIGHT: A bad outcome doesn’t mean it was a bad decision. And a good outcome doesn’t always mean it was smart. Great decision-makers separate decision quality from result quality. Evaluating past decisions objectively removes regret and improves future choices.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Is there a past decision you beat yourself up over? Was it truly a bad decision – or just a tough result?

TODAY’S EXERCISE: Consider a significant past decision – either one that “failed” or one that succeeded beyond expectations. Apply the 3-step framework:

• Context: What did I actually know then? (Not what I know now)

• Process: Did I gather input, consider options, and use sound reasoning?

• Learning: What can this teach me about my decision-making process?

Let go of what you couldn’t control. Focus on what you can learn.