Decision-making and play-testing (with Dan Epstein)
Aug 28, 2024
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Dan Epstein, a practicing medical doctor and PhD specializing in decision-making and game design, shares insights on how unconscious choices shape our lives. He discusses the complex interplay of personal values in healthcare decisions and the concept of 'playtesting' as a path to self-awareness. Highlighting the necessity of diverse perspectives and feedback, he emphasizes practical strategies like tabletop exercises for honing decision-making skills. Dan also unpacks the challenge of creating engaging educational games that effectively merge fun with learning.
Developing situational awareness is essential for breaking habitual decision-making patterns and promoting more intentional choices in daily life.
Clarifying personal values helps individuals navigate complex dilemmas, as decisions aligned with one’s values often lead to more satisfying outcomes.
Engaging in self-reflection and seeking feedback through methods like playtesting enhances decision-making skills and informs future choices effectively.
Deep dives
The Importance of Situational Awareness in Decision Making
A foundational aspect of improving decision-making is developing situational awareness, which involves recognizing that decisions are constantly being made throughout daily activities. Many individuals often operate on autopilot, following habitual behaviors without questioning their choices, such as routinely opting for fast food rather than considering healthier alternatives. This lack of awareness obscures the awareness of choice, which is crucial as making mindful decisions can lead to better outcomes in life. By consciously identifying the moments when decisions arise, individuals can begin to break free from default behaviors and engage in more intentional decision-making.
The Role of Values in Navigating Complex Decisions
Values play a critical role in guiding decision-making, especially in complex situations where choices conflict. Individuals sometimes face dilemmas that pit their values against each other, such as choosing between career opportunities and personal relationships. In such cases, clarifying which values are most important can help individuals navigate their choices more effectively, as decisions grounded in personal values often lead to more satisfying outcomes. Recognizing and prioritizing one's values can illuminate the path forward during challenging decision-making processes, leading to better alignment with personal beliefs and desires.
Understanding Energy Investment in Decision Making
Not all decisions require the same level of energy and effort; understanding when to invest significant time in making a decision versus when to choose quickly can improve overall decision-making efficiency. It is crucial to assess whether a decision warrants deep contemplation or if it can be settled swiftly, as overthinking minor choices can lead to unnecessary stress and wasted energy. Recognizing one's inclinations—either toward excessive deliberation or hasty conclusions—is an essential step in achieving balanced decision-making. By prioritizing attention and resources on significant choices, individuals can enhance their cognitive efficiency in day-to-day life.
Building a Support System for Decision-Making
Creating a reliable support network, including mentors and trusted advisors, can greatly enhance decision-making capabilities. Engaging with individuals who possess wisdom, relevant experiences, or expertise can provide diverse perspectives that illuminate the nuances of difficult choices. This network can help individuals contextualize their options and align their decisions with personal values, ultimately enriching the decision-making process. By establishing a personal board of directors, people can ensure they have access to multiple viewpoints that guide them through complex or high-stakes decisions.
The Usefulness of Reflection and Feedback in Decision Making
To enhance decision-making skills, individuals should actively engage in self-reflection and seek constructive feedback about their choices. Keeping a decision diary or logging past choices allows individuals to analyze what they learned from previous experiences, recognizing patterns and biases that influenced their outcomes. Additionally, practicing methods such as playtesting—where individuals simulate decision-making scenarios—can reveal insights into their decision-making processes. By fostering an environment of continuous learning and reflection, individuals can fine-tune their ability to make informed and effective decisions in the future.
What sorts of decisions are we making without even realizing we're making them? Are people aware of their own values? Do they know how those values rank relative to each other? What are all the various parties, interests, and values that have to be addressed and balanced when making decisions in a healthcare context? What does it mean to "play-test" yourself? What are the best strategies for giving feedback? How much energy is required to make various kinds of decisions? How can we practice and get better at decision-making? What is "tabletop exercising"? What are the most effective ways to bring other people into the decision-making process? What are some aspects of games that ought to be put to good use in non-game contexts? Why are educational games usually neither fun nor educational? How can game design features be used in ways that avoid turning metrics into targets? How can we make better decisions about how to divvy up our time?
Dr. Dan Epstein is a practicing medical doctor and academic PhD focusing on decision-making and game design. Dan is the director of The Long Game Project, which helps businesses and leaders improve strategy and decision-making with games and tabletop exercises. Dan is also an ambassador for Giving What We Can, a community of people who pledge to donate a portion of their income to effective causes; and he's a member of High Impact Athletes, a community of current and past athletes who do the same. Follow him on Twitter at @drdanepstein, email him at email@longgameproject.org, connect with him on LinkedIn, or learn more about his work at longgameproject.org.
