How to Journal for Clarity in Decision Making (A Simple Decision Journal)

When a decision feels hard, it’s usually because you’re mixing different problems together:

facts vs fears
preferences vs values
short-term comfort vs long-term growth

A decision journal helps you separate those layers so you can choose with more clarity.

Quick method: the 6-box decision journal

Open a page and fill these six boxes.

1) The decision (write it as a question)

Bad: “Should I quit?”

Better: “Should I leave my job in the next 3 months, and if so, what would I move toward?”

2) Options (list 2–4)

Option A
Option B
Option C (often: “do nothing for 30 days”)

3) What matters (values + non-negotiables)

Pick 3–5:

growth, stability, autonomy, money, time, learning, relationships, health, creativity

4) Trade-offs (the cost of each option)

Write one sentence per option:

“If I choose A, I gain ___ but I lose ___.”

5) The smallest experiment

Instead of “decide forever,” ask:

“What can I test in 7–14 days?”

6) Next step (within 48 hours)

One action:

send one message
book one call
write one list of questions

Example: “Should I switch careers?”

Decision: Should I switch from marketing to product design this year?

Options: stay; switch now; test with a course + project; talk to 3 designers first.

What matters: autonomy, creativity, growth.

Trade-offs: switching now risks money; staying risks regret.

Experiment: do one small design project and get feedback.

Next step: schedule 2 informational calls this week.

How AI helps (without choosing for you)

AI is best as a question generator, not a decision maker.

After you write your decision journal, ask:

“What assumptions am I making?”
“What information would change my mind?”
“What would I advise a friend in this exact situation?”

If you want a bigger reflection framework, see: Self-Reflection Journal Guide

Common mistakes

Mistake: trying to eliminate uncertainty

Fix: aim for the best decision with today’s information, then iterate.

Mistake: ignoring values

Fix: choose 3 non-negotiables before you compare options.

Mistake: journaling without action

Fix: end every entry with one next step within 48 hours.

FAQ

How long should a decision journal entry take?

5–15 minutes. The goal is clarity, not perfection.

What if I’m stuck between two good options?

Compare trade-offs and run a small experiment rather than forcing certainty.

What prompts help with decision making?

Use the “Clarity” and “Goals” prompts here: Reflection Questions and Prompts.

Try this in Refalio (5 minutes)

Paste your situation into Refalio and use this prompt:

“Help me define the real decision as a clear question.”
“List 3 options, then ask me what values matter most.”
“Suggest one small experiment and one next step within 48 hours.”

Try Refalio free: https://app.refalio.com/onboarding