Value Based Decision Making Framework

I wanted to share with you, the decision-making framework that helped me improve in many aspects of my life.

Not long ago, I found myself in the abyss. It was a stark realization about the dissonance in my life. It involved deep introspection about what was truly important for both me and my family. After much soul-searching, I identified four core values that resonated most profoundly with my aspirations and mattered most to our family. At the time I was listening to several books on habit formation^{1(see below)}, and the collective insights from these three distinct sources inspired me to devise a decision-making framework anchored in four core values. 1. Health, 2. Wealth, 3. Education, 4. Travel. Here is how it works. First, I reflect on everything I’m grateful for. Then I say, out loud, what I want to do that day and ask for strength to stay aligned with my values.👆🏼 This ritual can adapt to your personal beliefs, manifesting as a morning prayer, a session of self-affirmations, or writing down your intentions on a piece of paper.² Whatever tickles your pickle, as long as it’s a daily ritual, it can work to keep you on track with what’s most important to you in your life.

As the day goes on, whenever I’m faced with a choice, big or small, I ask myself:

• Does this help me improve my Health?

• Will this move me toward my financial goals? (Wealth)

• Is this contributing to my Education?

• Does it involve going somewhere new? (Travel)

If the answer is yes, I go for it. If not, it's a pass.

With this practice in place, over time, even the smallest decisions—be it choosing a drink³, planning weekend activities, or selecting a TV show—when acted on and aligned with my core values, profoundly influenced the changes in my life that followed.  This alignment transforms everyday choices into meaningful steps toward my objectives. As Daren Hardy said in the book The Compound Effect⁴: “You make your choices, and then your choices make you."

In the first year of this practice, the results were astonishing. I read about 50 books, ran 300+ miles, did over 1,000 pull-ups, paid off 95% of my debt, started a new job, and began saving. Travel-wise, we took a lot of trips around the US like to Vegas and Canada. We’re planning a trip to Puerto Rico in ‘24!

This journey wasn't a smooth sail. Overcoming laziness, temptations, and old habits was a real challenge. Sticking to my values, especially when it was easier to stray, made all the difference.

Drawing from the ideas of the Atomic Habits by James Clear, it's not about massive, overnight success, but the cumulative effect of small, daily choices that can lead to significant transformations over time.

As I look towards 2024, while contemplating evolving the 'Travel' goal into 'Writing', I remain committed to the pillars of Health, Wealth, and Education. This journey is about maintaining balance and finding joy in activities that contribute positively to my overarching life goals. It's a journey of reflection, discipline, and making conscious choices that resonate with my 'why'.

Key Takeaways:

• Align with Values: Make daily choices that reflect your core values—Health, Wealth, Education, Travel—to progress meaningfully towards your goals.

• Daily Focus Ritual: Begin with gratitude and value affirmation to keep aligned and motivated.

These practices have fueled my success in learning, fitness, finances, and travel, promising similar growth for you through consistent, small improvements.

Learn more about Habits: Curated Resources to save you time!

1. 📖 Atomic Habits by James Clear: A guide to understanding and transforming habits, focusing on small changes that can lead to significant personal improvement.

2. 🗣️ Daily Affirmations Books and Resources: Various books and resources to get you motivated.

3. 🍾 Tost - All Natural Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Drink: My favorite Non-Alcoholic drink. Just in time for New Year’s Celebration!

4. 🤑 The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy: Emphasizes the power of small, consistent actions in achieving significant long-term results.

Cheers and Joy!

Amir

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