How to Make an Effective Decision
Need to make a decision?
You can find lots of decision-making models that will help you. The most famous is the Ben Franklin approach.
When Ben needed to make a decision, he listed the pros and cons across from each other on a piece of paper.
Then he made his decision accordingly.
With all due respect to Ben, I’ve always recommended the approach of another revered American (Abraham Lincoln) and his far-lesser-known friend (Leonard Swett).
In my experience, a good friend who will listen does a lot more to clear the mind than a pen and paper.
After all, at some point you don’t need advice. You probably know what you need to do. You may already know that you are going to do it.
You just need someone to listen while you “talk it out” for yourself.
Abraham Lincoln found himself in this situation in the summer of 1862. Lincoln was considering the pros and cons of freeing the slaves, the boldest move of his age.
He sent for Leonard Swett, an old friend, legal associate, and political ally from Illinois, where Lincoln practiced law and still owned a home.
Swett made the long journey to Washington. Initially, they chatted about mutual friends.
Then the president discussed his idea for emancipation. However, it wasn’t a discussion.
Lincoln read aloud a pro-emancipation letter and then two against emancipation. Swett listened as Lincoln outlined the pros and cons.
Carl Sandburg wrote, "He turned it inside out and outside in. He reasoned as though he did not care about convincing Swett, but as though he needed to think out loud in the presence of an old-timer he knew and could trust."
This went on for an hour. Then Lincoln said goodbye to Swett, who left the next day.
Lincoln never asked Swett for his opinion. He never asked for advice.
He just needed someone to listen.
Leonard Swett proved to be a true friend. He listened attentively and nothing more. He helped the president clarify his thinking.
Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862. It took effect on the following New Year’s Day.
When faced with a decision, we often arrive at our choice without knowing it.
If you suspect you already know what you need to do, you don’t need advice.
By this point, you’ve used Ben Franklin’s method (with or without pen and paper).
All you need is a Leonard Swett.
Find one and have a talk.
You will make your decision quickly and effectively.
About the Author
Tony Papajohn coaches excellence and specializes in money. If you are a real estate investor, financial trader, entrepreneur, or want money to treat you like its new best friend, check out Tony’s free e-courses at http://www.WelcomeMoreMoney.com .
Popular Art Prints:
Seattle Slew Tony Leonard Print, 1956 Leonard Lundberg Parole Burglar Court Detective Tony Spratto Press Photo, EXCELLER ORIGINAL TONY LEONARD PHOTO 8 by 10 GAINESWAY FARM horse racing, LYPHARD at stud GAINESWAY FARM Tony Leonard horse racing photo NORTHERN DANCER, Secretariat print Tony Leonard Derby, 98 BLOODHORSE MAGAZINE SECRETARIAT 25TH ANNIVERSARY Hancock Tony Leonard, 2003 Kentucky Derby Poster Funny Cide Santos Tony Leonard, 2002 Kentucky Derby Poster War Emblem Espinoza Baffert Tony Leonard, SECRETARIAT BEAUTIFUL LITHOGRAPH BY TONY LEONARD, NINA ARIANDA received Tony Nominations BORN YESTERDAY with Robert Sean Leonard, Affirmed Race Horse Tony Leonard Photo Card Jonabell Farm, Hal Leonard The Tony Awards Songbook 2nd Edition, Hal Leonard The Light In The Piazza 2005 Tony Award, Lorenzo Booker Tony Hunt Brian Leonard 2007 SPx Triple Rookie Jersey RC SP $10, A Kenya Christmas Tony Johnston Leonard Jenkins Good Condition Book, Hal Leonard Tony Trischka Banjo Bundle Pack Bk CD DVD, Hal Leonard Tony Rice Teaches Bluegrass Book CD Package, Hal Leonard Tony Verderosa Live Electronic Music DVD, WILLIAM SHAKESP TONY LEONARD TAMAI ET AL WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE PAPERBACK NEW, The Boys Next Door Nathan Lane Tony Goldwyn Robert Sean Leonard VHS, Hal Leonard Tony Trischka Banjo Bundle Pack Book CD DVD, The Tony Awards Songbook 56 Songs From The Best Musicals 1949 2003 Hal Leonard, Leonard Cheshire Foundation Ann Covers signed By the Designer Tony Theobald, Group Captain Leonard Cheshire Ann Covers signed By Tony Theobald, LEONARD COHENBIRD ON A WIRE A TONY PALMER FILMDVD, Hal Leonard Tony Verderosa Live Electronic Music DVD, Tony Perez Signed Cincinnati Reds Boston Red Sox Leonard Coleman Baseball JSA, Columbia 78rpm EDDY DUCHIN Little Sleepy Head Lets Dream This One Tony Leonard, Hal Leonard Light In Piazza 2005 Tony Award Winner, Hal Leonard The Tony Awards Songbook 2nd Edition arranged for piano vocal and, Hal Leonard The Light In The Piazza 2005 Tony Award Winner arranged for piano, LORENZO BOOKER TONY HUNT BRIAN LEONARD 2007 SPX FRESHMAN TANDEMS JERSEY, 2007 SPX Freshman Tandems Tony Hunt Brian Leonard Brandon Jackson Game Jersey, Lorenzo Booker Tony Hunt Brian Leonard 2007 SPX Game Used Jersey, Singer Tony Bennett Postcard Herman 1950 Leonard Photo, Tony Gwynn San Diego Padres Signed Leonard Coleman Baseball JSA, 2007 SPX FRESHMAN TANDEM JERSEY TONY HUNT BRIAN LEONARD, 2007 SPX TANDEMS RC DUAL JERSEY BRIAN LEONARD TONY HUNT, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED 7 28 97 Tony Gwynn Justin Leonard, 98 Breeders Cup Churchill Downs Poster by Tony Leonard, 1980 7 UP Cups Comp Set 10 Mike Schmidt Kingman Tony Dorsett Sugar Ray Leonard, Affirmed Triple Crown Photo Set Tony Leonard,
Tags: bdsm, goodman, leonard, news, slash, tony leonard, tony leonard facebook, tony leonardi, tony leonardo, tony leonardo ultimate
This entry was posted on Saturday, December 25th, 2010 at 11:44 am and is filed under Art. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.