Theory of exclusion in decision making

Dr Sumedha Kushwaha
When in life, solutions don’t seem obvious and there is a dichotomy in mind as to what to choose and decide, a prudent way of solving problems is to try the principle of exclusion.
 In my opinion, to apply this principle of exclusion, look at your problem from a bird eye’s view, take a step back and then divide the decision-making process into two parts: Macro Exclusion and Micro Exclusion.
Macro process as the name suggests is a gross way of eliminating options which do not appear okay to emotional wellbeing/ gut feeling. It is an outright decision based on inner instinct. It does not take much time to take these decisions. In the process of macro exclusion, we can list down the choices/options present in front of us and eliminate all those choices which look grossly unpreferable.
In this phase, we sift out the unwanted probabilities that impede our vision and this process brings immense clarity to our thought and action. Macro exclusion will leave you with fewer and doable options on which you can apply the principle of micro exclusion.
The phase of micro exclusion serves as a finer way of looking at the remaining options carefully and recognizing the pros and cons of the leftover options.
 This process helps to henceforth put things in priority. It includes technical refining of the available options and putting our mind to looking at options closely.
In this phase, the role of practical mind is very important and an intricate calculation of minor possibilities should be kept in mind.
 It is a time taking process but it is worth the time and effort we put so reduce the chances of regret and increase the chances of making a well informed decision.
Try out this method to solve problems/issues next time, you will not only reduce the dilemma that you face when you set out to solve of big issuesor problems but also will have an evidence based approach with instinct (equanimity of heart and mind) both firmly in place and such an approach can be a winner anytime.