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skills/neurodivergent-visual-org/references/decision-tools.md

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+---
+created: 2025-11-02T21:50
+updated: 2025-11-11T05:24
+---
+# Decision Tools Patterns
+
+## Overview
+
+Decision tools help navigate complex choices, reduce decision paralysis, and externalize decision-making processes that can loop endlessly in neurodivergent minds.
+
+## When to Use
+
+- User feels stuck between options
+- User is overthinking a decision
+- User mentions analysis paralysis or decision fatigue
+- User needs to weigh multiple factors
+- User asks "should I...?"
+
+## Pattern: Simple Decision Tree
+
+Use for yes/no decisions or choices with clear criteria.
+
+```mermaid
+flowchart TD
+    Start[Should I go to this social event?] --> Energy{Do I have<br/>enough energy?}
+    Energy -->|No| Rest[Skip it<br/>Rest is valid]
+    Energy -->|Maybe| Check{Will there be<br/>people I like?}
+    Energy -->|Yes| Check
+    
+    Check -->|Yes| Commit[Go for 1-2 hours<br/>Give yourself permission<br/>to leave early]
+    Check -->|Not sure| Info{Can I find out<br/>who's going?}
+    Check -->|No| Benefit{Is there another<br/>benefit?}
+    
+    Info -->|Yes| Ask[Ask organizer<br/>Make informed choice]
+    Info -->|No| Gut{Does your gut<br/>say go?}
+    
+    Gut -->|Yes| Trial[Try it for 1 hour<br/>You can always leave]
+    Gut -->|No| Rest
+    
+    Benefit -->|Yes| Weigh[List pros & cons<br/>See matrix pattern]
+    Benefit -->|No| Rest
+    
+    style Start fill:#e1f5ff
+    style Rest fill:#f8d7da
+    style Commit fill:#d4f1d4
+    style Trial fill:#fff3cd
+```
+
+**Key features:**
+- Acknowledges "no" is a valid answer
+- Includes energy level as primary factor
+- Gives permission to change mind / leave early
+- No judgment for any path
+
+## Pattern: Weighted Decision Matrix
+
+Use for complex decisions with multiple factors.
+
+```mermaid
+graph TD
+    subgraph Options
+        A[Option A:<br/>Current Job]
+        B[Option B:<br/>New Company]
+        C[Option C:<br/>Freelance]
+    end
+    
+    subgraph "Factors (1-5 scale)"
+        F1[Mental Health Impact]
+        F2[Financial Stability]
+        F3[Growth Opportunity]
+        F4[Work-Life Balance]
+        F5[Team/Culture Fit]
+    end
+    
+    A --> Score1[Total: 16/25<br/>✓ Stable, known<br/>⚠ Limited growth<br/>⚠ Burnout risk]
+    B --> Score2[Total: 19/25<br/>✓ Better pay<br/>✓ Growth opportunity<br/>⚠ Unknown culture]
+    C --> Score3[Total: 17/25<br/>✓ Flexibility<br/>✓ Control<br/>⚠ Income uncertainty]
+    
+    Score1 --> Think[Reflect:<br/>Which tradeoffs<br/>matter most to you<br/>RIGHT NOW?]
+    Score2 --> Think
+    Score3 --> Think
+    
+    style Think fill:#fff3cd
+```
+
+**Template for actual use:**
+Create a table with:
+- Rows: Your options
+- Columns: Important factors (rate each 1-5)
+- Total scores + key pros/cons
+
+Then visualize the decision with the graph above.
+
+**Key features:**
+- Externalizes internal deliberation
+- Makes tradeoffs explicit
+- No "right answer" - shows what matters to YOU
+- Acknowledges context (what matters "right now")
+
+## Pattern: "If This, Then That" Logic
+
+Use when decision depends on future unknowns or requires contingency planning.
+
+```mermaid
+flowchart LR
+    Start[Accept freelance project?] --> Try[Try it for 1 month]
+    
+    Try --> Month1{After 1 month<br/>check-in}
+    
+    Month1 -->|Loving it| Cont1[Continue<br/>Set another check-in<br/>for month 3]
+    Month1 -->|It's okay| Assess1[List what's working<br/>and what's not<br/>Decide if worth it]
+    Month1 -->|Hating it| Exit1[Finish current work<br/>Don't renew<br/>No shame]
+    
+    Cont1 --> Month3{After 3 months<br/>check-in}
+    Month3 -->|Still good| Cont2[Keep going<br/>You found something<br/>that works!]
+    Month3 -->|Declining| Assess2[Time to reassess<br/>or pivot]
+    
+    style Start fill:#e1f5ff
+    style Cont2 fill:#d4f1d4
+    style Exit1 fill:#f8d7da
+    style Assess1 fill:#fff3cd
+    style Assess2 fill:#fff3cd
+```
+
+**Key features:**
+- Removes pressure to know the future
+- Built-in check-in points
+- Permission to change your mind
+- "Try it and see" instead of "commit forever"
+
+## Pattern: Elimination Decision
+
+Use when overwhelmed by too many options (restaurants, vacation spots, job offers).
+
+```mermaid
+flowchart TD
+    Start[8 vacation options] --> Must[Filter by<br/>must-haves]
+    
+    Must --> List1[4 options remain]
+    
+    List1 --> Deal[Remove any<br/>deal-breakers]
+    
+    Deal --> List2[2 options remain]
+    
+    List2 --> Gut{Which one makes<br/>you more excited?}
+    
+    Gut -->|Option A| Pick1[Book Option A<br/>Stop researching]
+    Gut -->|Option B| Pick2[Book Option B<br/>Stop researching]
+    Gut -->|Both seem equal| Coin[Flip a coin<br/>If you feel disappointed,<br/>pick the other one]
+    
+    Coin --> Done[Decision made!<br/>No more second-guessing]
+    Pick1 --> Done
+    Pick2 --> Done
+    
+    style Start fill:#e1f5ff
+    style Done fill:#d4f1d4
+```
+
+**Key features:**
+- Reduces decision fatigue through filtering
+- Uses gut-check method for final tie-breaker
+- Coin flip trick reveals true preference
+- Explicit "stop researching" boundary
+
+## Language Guidelines
+
+**Use reassuring, permission-giving language:**
+
+✅ DO:
+- "There's no perfect answer"
+- "You can change your mind later"
+- "What matters most to you *right now*?"
+- "Trust your gut"
+- "You can try it and see"
+- "Not deciding is deciding - and that's okay too"
+
+❌ DON'T:
+- "Make the right choice"
+- "Think it through more carefully"
+- "You should know by now"
+- "Just pick one"
+- "Everyone else would..."
+
+## Anti-Perfectionism Reminders
+
+Include these where relevant:
+- "Done is better than perfect"
+- "You can course-correct later"
+- "Most decisions are reversible"
+- "Your future self will figure it out"
+- "Good enough is actually good enough"