Option Solving Blog

Your author’s recent interaction with a close family member revealed how she had been pretty sick and was puzzled by what had caused it. So your author suggested that she use option solving as a means of identifying the most likely source of her infection.

She was encouraged to pose an appropriate question: “What was the most likely source of my severe sickness; considering 1) I’ve been pretty fit and healthy, 2) I’m fairly careful in what I eat, 3) To my knowledge, was not exposed to sick people, 4) I live in clean, healthy home-environment, and 5) Boy friend didn’t get sick?” Again, it’s appropriate for her to focus on just these five (normally recommend you stick with just four) considerations to reduce complexity in her eventual decision, when that ultimate moment arrives – despite there being many other possible considerations out there.

She now had to decide upon her yin and yang “bookends,”as these will help keep her intuitive mind focused against other immediate mental distractions. Bookends such as these are vital for preventing our fertile intuitive minds from wandering and losing concentration. We are mostly unaware of how powerfully valuable but foot-loose our intuition can be unless we can keep it properly focused on such occasions.   

These bookends turned out to be: “Walked into a known unhealthy place” – Not to my knowledge and unlikely for me;and “Knowingly ate some rotten food” – Out of character for me. You will note the italicized detractors associated with these least likely options, which show why they are not really for consideration. Even so, these bookends now nudged this family member’s intuitive thinking into high gear again and consider a range of realistic options – see ourLatest Worked Example.

She then came up with six realistic options – A thru F. She was then ready to pursue emotional distancing once more beforecoming to any outcome decision. She can then review these declared options, perhaps after 2 hours, later in the day, or first thing the following morning, before arriving at an optimal conclusion. You can replace her proposed options with any new ones of your own.

While all these options look interesting, she was initially particularly intrigued by – Option C: From Local Swimming Pool – swallowed contaminated water or caught a bug from other attendees? She subsequently decided to sleep on it and seek input from others until the following morning and then proceed accordingly. She is strongly advised to stick with whatever option her overall, intuitive choice turns out to be.

If you have an example of your own, please share it with this blogger, through the COMMENTS area or contact him at peter@ileadershipsolutions.com .  Thanks Option Solving. (NOTE: Our next posting will be in two week’s time: “What is friends best option for remaining whole with partner”  Let’s have your COMMENTS or go to peter@ileadershipsolutions.com . Allow time to connect with the blogger. Also consider buying the book: “Smart Decisions: Goodbye Problems, Hello Options” through amazon.com)

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Our recent author story shared how she was experiencing difficulties with a new book advisor relationship. She wanted to figure out a different way forward in that relationship, so felt persuaded to utilize option solving to help her do this. From that exercise, she came up with six options and chose Option E: Build support around latest book title idea.

Now she was encouraged to pose an appropriate sub-option question as follows: “Peeling the Onion: What is potential author’s optimum option for constructively handling a new book-advisor relationship – chose Option E: Build support around latest title idea; considering 1) advisor is not open to listening, 2) her suggestions don’t resonate with author, 3) she supposedly has many attractive contacts, and 4) author’s spouse found book-advisor?” Again, it’s appropriate for her to focus on just these four considerations to reduce complexity in her eventual decision; when that ultimate moment arrives – despite there being many other possible considerations out there.

She now had to review her earlier yin and yang “bookends” and refresh them,as these will help keep her intuitive mind focused against other immediate mental distractions. Bookends such as these are vital for preventing our fertile intuitive minds from wandering and losing concentration. We are mostly unaware of how powerfully valuable but foot-loose our intuition can be unless we can keep it properly focused on such occasions.   

These sub-versions turned out to be: “Not bother with advisor further” – Impact on spouse;and “Roll over and tolerate her” – Tough to stomach. You will note the italicized detractors associated with these least likely options, which show why they are not really for consideration. Even so, these bookends now nudge this author’s intuitive thinking into high gear again, to consider a range of realistic options – see ourLatest Worked Example.

She then produced with six realistic sub-options – AA thru FF. She was then ready to pursue emotional distancing once more beforecoming to any outcome decision. She can then review these declared options, perhaps after 2 hours, later in the day, or first thing the following morning, before arriving at an optimal conclusion. You can replace her proposed options with any new ones of your own.

While all these options look interesting, this author was initially particularly intrigued by – Option EE: Submit alternative articles to her advisor’s suggestions. The author subsequently decided to sleep on it and seek input from others until the following morning and then proceed accordingly. She is strongly advised to stick with whatever option the overall, intuitive choice turns out to be.

If you have an example of your own, please share it with this blogger, through the COMMENTS area or contact him at peter@ileadershipsolutions.com .  Thanks Option Solving. (NOTE: Our next posting will be in two week’s time: “Detecting Most Likely Source of Sickness?”  Let’s have your COMMENTS or go to peter@ileadershipsolutions.com . Allow time to connect with the blogger. Also consider buying the book: “Smart Decisions: Goodbye Problems, Hello Options” through amazon.com)

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