EP#9 Is it a Must or a Want? 5 Things You Need to Know About Making Decisions

What makes a decision a great one? It often comes down to this: knowing your musts from your wants. In this episode of All We Know About the Stuff We Know, Dave and Ashley walk through the fifth and final “thing you need to know” about making better decisions—how to use decision criteria to cut through the noise and get clarity.

You’ll learn:

• Why a pros and cons list often leaves you more confused
• The difference between musts (non-negotiables) and wants (priorities, not requirements)
• How to apply this concept to everyday decisions (buying a home) and billion-dollar ones (relocating a production plant)
• What it looks like when teams use this process—and what happens when they don’t

From Ashley’s story about potentially living in a pool house to Dave’s consulting tale about a multimillion-dollar Boeing-related decision, we explore how identifying your musts early can save you time, money, stress, and possibly your marriage (or at least your Sunday afternoons spent arguing about acreage).

Mentioned in this episode:

• Our Decision Focus courses and workshops: https://www.focustools.com/decision-focus
• Check out our book! https://www.focustools.com/5things
• Watch us (and subscribe!) on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@focustoolsforlife

05:41 Decision-Making Framework Overview

08:03 Understanding Decision-Making Fears

10:10 The Importance of Decision Criteria

12:35 Cascading Decisions in Life

14:43 Defining Musts vs. Wants in Decision-Making

17:10 Applying Musts to Real Estate Decisions

19:33 Team Decision-Making Dynamics

22:25 Navigating Manufacturing Decisions

24:25 Establishing Musts and Wants in Decision Making

29:04 The Importance of Clarity in Decision Criteria

32:54 Applying Musts and Wants to Personal Decisions

37:14 Complex Decision-Making in High-Stakes Situations

44:10 The Impact of Clarity on Decision Outcomes