You only need to know six decision types.

Since decision making ranges from the simple to the complex, the good news is there are only six basic types of decisions you can make. This should be comforting if you get overhwelmed by making decisions. Here are the six basic decision types that you need to know for easy decision making. 

1. Yes/No
2. Comparison
3. Compromise
4. Creative
5. Intuitive
6. Refusal

Decision choice #1 is the Yes/No. This is the easiest one. If you are making decisions at home or at work, all you have to commit to is a Yes or a No. If you are in an authority position you don’t have to defend your reasoning; essentially if your word is law. If you decision making authority is challenged, you can give a reason. However it doesn’t always have to be logical reason and parents commonly use it as long as they can. Stating your reason may increase the validity of your decision, but it does not imply your have to change your decision if challenged.

Decision choice #2 is the Comparison. This is the decision making process that boils down the choice between two alternatives. Each alternative A or B has positives and negatives which need to weighed and compared against the other for the best outcome. This is the decision process based on the Ben Franklin model. The idea is to be as logical, rational and objective in weighing the positives and negatives and reaching the best possible choice.

Decision choice #3 is the Compromise. The decision is not a clear victory for one alternative over another. In weighing the positives and negative of both alternatives, there are merits of both. When both are combined, it forms an alternative choice that had not been considered before.

Decision choice #4 is the Creative. This decision is based on the fact that the alternatives do not offer a satisfactory resolution. This requires a whole new process with a fresh perspective, and may include brainstorming, feedback, outside opinions and resources not considered before. This opens up the decision process to a new alternative from which to arrive at a more effective decision than what was previously available.

Decision choice #5 is the Intuitive. An intuitive decision either lacks logic, reason and objectivity or overrules those qualities in the end. They are validated by a gut feeling, a sense or knowing, a hunch, a dream a propitious sign or anything that the decision maker places greater value on. It doesn’t mean the final decision is less valuable. It just means that the results will be evaluated as a good or bad decision just like any other decision making choice.

Decision choice #6 is the Refusal. By not making a decision, the action becomes a decision to not make a decision. The choice of not making a decision does not solve the problem, However, it does reveal there’s a problem either in being unable to make this decision or a problem in being able to make decisions in general. Ultimately, the person can decide what they want to do about it if anything.

While decisions can be challenging, this should give you some peace of mind knowing there are only six types of decisions to choose from.