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Use Sound Reasoning

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Use sound reasoning. Reasoning is the process of combining alternatives, information, and values to arrive at a decision.

Learn about sound reasoning in the context of a student choosing a college.

Reasoning completes the sentence, “I am choosing this alternative because…“ Poor reasoning leads to poor decisions. For example, people frequently assume the upside is more likely and ignore the downside, e.g., “I’ll never get into xyz college. Therefore, I’ll spend my money on trendy clothes.”

In this video, you'll learn how a decision tree helps clarify the probabilities of various outcomes when trying to make a decision. For instance, how do basketball coaches decide what play to make next?

Choosing an alternative for an important decision, for instance, your college of choice, just because it feels right is not enough.

In this video, you learn why sound reasoning requires an explanation or rationale. We should be able to say we are choosing an alternative because it involves less risk and is better for people we care about than the other alternatives available. To back up this choice, we can articulate the alternatives considered, information taken into account (including risks), values and trade-offs considered, and method for combining all these to arrive at the chosen alternative.

Ask yourself:

  • Can I explain my choice to others?
  • I chose this school because it can get me the most of what I want which is... The risks are... But the offsets are...

Ask your head:

  • What would it take to switch my decision to another school?
  • Have I gathered enough information to feel confident in my expectations?

Ask your heart:

  • Do people I trust, respect, and/or care about agree with my logic/rationale?
  • Does my final logical choice feel right?

Keep in mind:

  • Step away for a while and/or get some help if you start to feel paralysis by analysis.
  • Don't assume there are no risks.
  • Avoid the wishful thinking trap: "Because I want it, it will happen."
  • Avoid making the comfortable choice without considering important risk and reward factors.

Recommendations

  • Step away for a while and/or get some help, if you start to feel "paralysis by analysis".
  • Don't assume there are no risks.
  • Avoid the wishful thinking trap: "Because I want it, it will happen."
  • Avoid making the comfortable choice without considering important risk and reward factors.

Featured Decision Guides

Find instructions and educational information to help guide your college choice.

Decision Making Step by Step

The Conversations for Clarity worksheet provides a structured method for making progress toward a decision. It helps you find your weakest Decision Chain link.

Learn the Decision Chain

The purpose of making good quality decisions is to get more of what you truly want out of life. A good decision makes sense and feels right.

Commit to Follow Through

Commitment to follow through means that you are set to execute on your decision. It's like pulling an internal switch, and you'll do whatever it takes to make your decision real. You're ready when you're prepared with all the necessary resources like time, effort, money, and help from others. You should also ready to overcome obstacles and have a plan B prepared.

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It's a 5-6 hour, self-paced course and recommended for any age 13 and above.