Decision Journal
Record decisions to learn from patterns over time.
Explanation
Our memories are unreliable—we tend to remember our predictions as being more accurate than they actually were. By writing down our decisions and predictions, we create an objective record that helps us spot patterns in our thinking. Poker champion Annie Duke and Nobel Prize winner Daniel Kahneman both recommend this practice.
Real-World Example
Hired Jane. Prediction: She'll excel at sales, struggle with details. Reality 6 months later: Great at details, struggled with rejection. Lesson: I overweight extroversion. Investment in crypto. Prediction: 50% gain in 1 year. Reality: -70%. Lesson: I'm overconfident in new domains.
How to Apply
Template: Date | Decision | Alternatives considered | Prediction (with %) | Confidence level | Actual outcome | Lesson learned. Review quarterly. Look for patterns: Where are you overconfident? What biases repeat? Which types of decisions do you nail? Adjust future decisions based on patterns.