Life is full of decisions, some tiny and fleeting, others shaping months or even years ahead. Most people rush through them, relying on habit, intuition, or urgency. But there’s a better way—one that’s simple, structured, and surprisingly adaptable. This is for the person who feels the weight of choices but doesn’t have hours to dissect every option. This is for you.

Welcome to the Decision Triangle, a framework designed to cut through noise and focus on what really matters when making any decision. Think of it as a map for clarity, a lens to see not just what you’re doing, but why.

Imagine a triangle. Not a fancy one, just a triangle that points forward in time. Each decision sits on three points:

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Even the simplest decision—like choosing what to eat for lunch—fits this triangle. Your stomach rumbles (trigger), you want to feel satisfied and energized (desired future), and you pick a sandwich or salad (action). Most people stop at the action. They don’t pause to consider why they’re deciding or what they hope will result. That’s the first trap the Triangle helps you avoid.

Tip: Before acting, pause for 30 seconds. Ask yourself: Why now? What outcome do I truly want? You’ll be surprised how much clarity this tiny pause brings.

Some choices are quick, automatic, and almost instinctive. Lunch, morning coffee, which route to work—these are “Type 1” decisions. They’re fine to be fast, but they rarely define your path.

Then there are the big ones: renewing a mortgage, choosing a career move, or committing to a major project. These are “Type 2” decisions. They demand System 2 thinking—deliberate, analytical, patient. The Triangle expands here.

For meaningful decisions, four extra elements improve your clarity:

Tip: When facing a weighty decision, write down each element. Even a bullet list of scenarios or constraints forces your brain to see the bigger picture, not just the immediate next step.

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A common blind spot in decision-making is failing to articulate the desired future clearly. People often think in vague outcomes: “I want a good mortgage” or “I want to eat healthy.” But what does that mean?

The more detail you add, the more useful your decision becomes. For example, instead of thinking, “I want a good lunch,” consider:

Big decisions deserve the same clarity. Wanting financial stability? Define it: predictable payments, flexible terms, no surprise costs. Looking for a new opportunity? Identify the impact you want to create, not just the action to take.

Tip: Work backwards from your desired future. Imagine your day, month, or year after this decision succeeds. What does it look like? This “reverse lens” often surfaces overlooked factors.

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Even the clearest decision can go off-track if obstacles aren’t considered. Delays, missing approvals, or unforeseen changes can derail plans. The Triangle encourages logging Obstacles, Event Logs, and Learnings:

Think of this as a personal postmortem, not to criticize yourself, but to build a library of insight. Over time, these logs create a mental model that makes future decisions faster, sharper, and less stressful.

Tip: Don’t just note outcomes. Capture why decisions didn’t unfold as expected. Even failed choices teach lessons if you track the triggers, scenarios, and assumptions.

The real power of the Triangle emerges when you map conditions and scenarios.

Example: Considering a career change?

By doing this, you prepare for multiple realities instead of being blindsided by one.

Tip: Write scenarios with exaggeration. Imagine “the worst case” and “the best case.” Then identify which scenario is most probable. Your actions become sharper and less reactive.

Once you’ve defined triggers, desired future, conditions, and scenarios, the final step is the Action.

But here’s the twist: action isn’t the end. Decisions unfold over time. You must continually check:

The Triangle encourages revisiting decisions after implementation, logging learnings, and adjusting without judgment. This ongoing reflection turns decision-making from a stressor into a skill you can master.

Tip: Schedule a brief reflection 1–2 weeks after a major decision. Note what went as expected, what didn’t, and what could be improved. This is your fastest path to smarter choices.

Start small. Apply the Triangle to lunch, errands, or small daily commitments. Then scale it to more meaningful choices. Each time, your thinking becomes sharper, your actions more aligned, and your confidence in decision-making grows.

Remember: life doesn’t come with an instruction manual, but the Decision Triangle is the closest thing to one—designed for a busy, overwhelmed person who simply wants to make better choices, with less stress, and more clarity.

What’s your next spark? A new platform engineering skill? A bold pitch? A team ready to rise? Share your ideas or challenges at Tiny Big Spark. Let’s build your pyramid—together.

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