# Hard Choice Model

> Sort a decision by type to see how much effort it deserves.

Chapter II, Decision making · 2.07 · Origin: Wes O'Haire, drawing on Ruth Chang · Time: 5 to 10 min · Solo

**Use it when** you are unsure how much time a decision deserves.

Interactive workspace: https://kogu.tools/tools/hard-choice-model

## Abstract

Picking a meeting slot and picking a career are both decisions, but giving them the same amount of thought wastes time on one and shortchanges the other.

This model sorts a decision with two questions. How much will the outcome affect your life? And can the options be compared on a common scale, like price? The answers give four types, each with its own approach. The hardest type has no right answer to find, so the choice comes down to what you value.

## Method

1. **Write the decision down.** State it as a choice between options, such as staying in your job or joining a startup.
2. **Judge the impact.** Ask how much the outcome will matter a year from now. If it's small and easy to reverse, the impact is low.
3. **Judge how comparable the options are.** Can you measure them on the same scale, like price or distance? If each is better in a different way, they're hard to compare.
4. **Name the type.** Low impact and easy to compare is a no-brainer. Low impact and hard to compare is apples and oranges. High impact and easy to compare is a big choice. High impact and hard to compare is a hard choice.
5. **Match your effort to the type.** Decide no-brainers fast and settle apples and oranges by what you care about right now. Research big choices carefully. For hard choices, ask which option fits the person you want to be.

## When to use it

- You've been stuck on a decision for weeks and aren't sure why.
- You tend to agonise over small choices or rush big ones.
- Several decisions are competing for your time and you need to know which ones deserve it.

## Common pitfalls

- Overthinking no-brainers. When the options are close and little is at stake, any reasonable pick is fine.
- Expecting more data to settle a hard choice. If each option is better in its own way, research won't produce a winner.
- Mistaking a big choice for a hard one. If the options share a scale, a careful comparison usually settles it.
- Judging impact by how anxious you feel about it.

## References

- Chang, R. (2014). How to make hard choices. TED Talk. https://www.ted.com/talks/ruth_chang_how_to_make_hard_choices
- O'Haire, W. Mental models for designers. Dropbox Design.