Big Think The CIA method for making quick decisions under stress | Andrew Bustamante
6 snips
May 15, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, Andrew Bustamante, a former CIA intelligence officer and founder of EverydaySpy.com, shares strategies for managing decision-making under stress. He reveals how the same time that causes anxiety can be used as a valuable asset. Bustamante emphasizes the power of focusing on the next simplest task to cut through overwhelmed feelings. He connects modern workplace challenges to primal survival skills, suggesting that simplicity and intentionality are key to regaining control and enhancing productivity.
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Time Is Your Most Valuable Resource
- Time is the most valuable resource because it cannot be created or regenerated.
- We are always working against a ticking clock that pressures us.
Understanding Task Saturation Risks
- Task saturation occurs when tasks exceed your effective capacity and harms productivity.
- It causes decreased cognitive ability, stress, anxiety, and unproductive successes.
Reduce Tasks by Two Rule
- Always reduce the number of tasks you think you can handle by two to increase productivity.
- Fewer tasks at once boost resources per task and build positive momentum.