Some decisions aren’t hard, they’re just sticky. Switch energy supplier or stay put. Which of two tools to use for a project. Whether to book the trip now or wait. Nothing about them is complicated, but they sit on the list for weeks because every time you look at them, it feels like more thinking than you have time for.
These days, when a decision has been hanging around too long, I give it ten minutes with AI. Not to make the decision for me, but to get it out of my head and into a shape I can actually decide on. Here’s how.
Step 1: Write down the two options and what you care about
Keep it rough. A couple of lines on each option, and a list of everything you care about, even the small stuff. Take out account numbers, names and anything private before it goes into a chat. AI only needs the shape of the choice, not your personal details.
Step 2: Find out what you’re really choosing between
Paste it in and use this prompt:
“I’m trying to decide between these two options. Here’s what I care about. In one sentence, what am I really choosing between? Then pick the three things from my list that should matter most for someone in my situation, and tell me why.”
Often the real choice is simpler than the one you’ve been chewing over. “Cheaper or less hassle” is easier to decide than a twelve-row comparison.
Step 3: Put them side by side
Next prompt:
“Compare both options against those three things in a short table. Be honest about where each one is weaker. Don’t recommend one yet.”
Asking it not to recommend yet stops it from nudging you before you’ve seen the trade-offs yourself.
Step 4: Ask the regret question
“If I picked option A, what would I most likely regret in six months? Same for option B.”
This is the step that does most of the work for me. Once you can see what you’d miss with each option, the answer is usually obvious, or at least much clearer.
Step 5: Check the facts and write one line
AI is good at laying things out, but it can get details wrong. Prices, contract terms, notice periods and dates should come from the real offer or document, not the chat. Check those yourself.
Then write one sentence: “Going with X because Y.” If you can finish it, you’ve decided. If you can’t, you’ll know exactly what’s missing, which is usually one fact you need to look up.
Where AI stops
AI can help you think a choice through, but it doesn’t know your life, your finances or your gut feeling. For anything big, like money, health or legal matters, treat it as a thinking partner and get proper advice where it counts. And for work decisions, only paste content into tools your company has approved, and keep anything confidential out of the chat.
Quick questions
Should I let AI make the decision for me?
No. Use it to lay out the choice and the trade-offs. You know your situation, your budget and your gut feeling, so the final call stays with you.
Is it safe to paste details about my options into AI?
Leave out account numbers, names and anything private. For work decisions, only use tools your company has approved and keep confidential details out.
What if I still can't decide after ten minutes?
Try finishing the sentence "Going with X because Y." Whatever stops you is usually one missing fact. Look that up, then come back to it.