How to Make Decisions Faster and Better: A Simple Framework

The short answer

Most decision-making problems aren’t about having too little information. They’re about having no system for processing it.

Build a decision framework and you’ll make faster, better decisions consistently.

Why decision-making is so draining

Decision fatigue is real. Every decision you make depletes mental energy:

What to eat
What to work on first
Whether to say yes or no
Which option is “better”

The fix: Pre-decide as much as possible. Reduce the number of active decisions you make daily.

The 5-type decision framework

Type 1: Reversible vs. Irreversible

Before agonizing over a decision, ask: can I undo this?

Reversible: Make it fast. You can correct it later.
Irreversible: Take time. Get more information first.

Most decisions are reversible. Most people treat them like they’re not.

Type 2: High stakes vs. Low stakes

Match your decision effort to the actual stakes:

Low stakes (lunch choice, email wording) → 30 seconds max
Medium stakes (project direction) → 15 minutes
High stakes (career move, major investment) → days of deliberate thought

Type 3: Values-based decisions

Some decisions aren’t about logic. They’re about values.

Ask: “What would the version of me I want to be choose here?”

This cuts through overthinking immediately.

Type 4: Data-driven decisions

For decisions with clear metrics:

Define what success looks like
Identify what data you need
Set a deadline for gathering it
Decide based on what you have by the deadline

Type 5: Default decisions

For recurring decisions, create defaults:

Default meal plan for weekdays
Default yes/no rules for meeting requests
Default process for handling email

Defaults eliminate the decision entirely.

The 10/10/10 rule for tough decisions

Ask three questions:

How will I feel about this decision in 10 minutes?
How will I feel about it in 10 months?
How will I feel about it in 10 years?

This forces perspective and reduces emotional decision-making.

How AI helps with decision-making

Use AI to:

Map out pros and cons systematically
Identify options you haven’t considered
Challenge your assumptions
Summarize relevant information quickly

FAQ

How do I stop overthinking decisions?
Classify the decision first (reversible vs irreversible, high stakes vs low stakes). Most decisions are low-stakes and reversible — they deserve 30 seconds, not 30 minutes.

What’s the fastest way to make better decisions?
Build defaults and pre-decisions for recurring choices. Remove the need to decide in the moment.

About the Author

Blake Murphy is the author of Still Here, a book about resilience, growth, and finding meaning in everyday life. Learn more about the book →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make decisions faster without regretting them later?

Match the size of the decision to the effort. Use a 5-second rule for tiny choices, a 5-minute pros/cons for medium ones, and only do a deep analysis on truly reversible big bets.

What is the 10/10/10 rule for decisions?

Ask how you will feel about this choice in 10 minutes, 10 months, and 10 years. It instantly cuts through emotional noise and reveals which decisions actually matter long-term.

How do I stop overthinking small decisions?

Pre-decide. Build defaults for recurring choices (meals, clothes, routines) so you free up willpower for decisions that actually move the needle.

How to Make Decisions Faster and Better (A Simple Framework)