My Decision Framework

This article is written for UC Berkeley’s IEOR 171: Technology Firm Leadership (Fall 2020) class.

In my life, when I making decisions regarding my personal life, academics, career, or pretty much anything else, I usually think about the long term plan or objective. For any particular decision, rather than evaluating the immediate pros or cons, I think about how that decision can positively (and negatively) impact my future. Usually, I don’t think too far into the future (usually max 4 years). If I strongly believe the long term benefits outweigh some of the initial upfront costs, then I usually go along with the decision.

I don’t make decisions based too much on my present feelings or emotions because I don’t really believe in the notion of gut feelings (except during certain social situations or life-or-death situations). I try my best to think logically and practically and try to evaluate the tangible effects of the decision on my life (i.e. growing personal wealth, navigating career development, setting up a happy, stress-free lifestyle). Also, I try not too far into the future because I know there are some unknown unknowns that I might have to face, and if I over plan, then I might set myself up for regret in the future.

In short, I always think about the long-term impacts on the decisions I am making today, and I always choose to go with decisions that set up my life for success in the future and ones that minimize my future regret.