Understanding Your Decision-Making Process: The Archaeological Dig Method

Making sound decisions in business and personal life often makes the difference between success and failure. Yet, the process of decision-making is not always straightforward. We are influenced by biases, emotions, cognitive distortions, and external circumstances, all of which can affect the outcomes of our decisions. One way to refine and improve this process is through the Archaeological Dig Method. This method encourages you to review and understand your past decisions to improve future ones. Let's delve into this powerful approach and see how it can enhance your decision-making skills.

What is the Archaeological Dig Method?

The Archaeological Dig Method is a metaphorical concept shared in my book "Rigging the Game". This approach, akin to an archaeological excavation, involves digging deep into your past decisions to understand why you made them and how they align with your ultimate goals. It allows you to recognize patterns, identify gaps, and uncover biases that might be affecting your decision-making process.

How to Implement the Archaeological Dig Method

Step 1: Conduct a Quarterly Review

Aim to perform an Archaeological Dig every quarter. This frequency gives you a substantial amount of data (i.e., your decisions) without overwhelming you. During this review, focus on two main areas:

Decisions that did not get you closer to your goals: Reflect on decisions that didn't bring you closer to what you want. Identify the reasons behind these choices and understand the logic or emotions that drove them.

Reasons behind these decisions: Evaluate the reasons behind your decisions, focusing on potential biases and motivations. This will help you understand if you're consistently swayed by certain factors or if there's a pattern to your decision-making that's not serving your goals.

Step 2: Identify Your Biases

In your analysis, focus on identifying any biases that could impact your decisions. Biases can be deeply ingrained, making them hard to spot. Take a step back and attempt to view your decisions from an objective standpoint. If necessary, ask trusted colleagues or mentors to help you spot these biases.

These biases can show up in different ways but one of the most common is through cognitive distortions like “should” statements, Overgeneralization, or jumping to conclusions.

Step 3: Reflect and Learn

After identifying potential biases and understanding the reasons behind your decisions, reflect on these insights. Consider how these biases might have impacted the results of your decisions and how different actions could have led to other outcomes.

Step 4: Make Necessary Adjustments

The ultimate goal of the Archaeological Dig Method is to learn and improve. Based on your reflections, identify areas where you can adjust your decision-making process. This might involve being more mindful of specific biases, altering your approach to decision-making, or making changes to your broader business strategies.

The Value of the Archaeological Dig Method

This process is more than just a reflection—it’s a system to improve your decision-making process. By understanding your past decisions and the biases that influenced them, you can work to mitigate these biases in the future, leading to more objective, productive decisions and ultimately bringing you closer to the things you really want..

Additionally, the Archaeological Dig Method is an excellent tool for personal growth. By understanding your decision-making process better, you'll gain insight into your personal motivations and inclinations. This self-awareness can help guide your personal development, career trajectory, and create a level of certainty.

In Conclusion

The Archaeological Dig Method is a valuable approach to refining your decision-making process, promoting greater self-awareness, and moving closer to your ultimate goals. It requires honesty, introspection, and a willingness to make changes where necessary. The process can be challenging, but has a wealth of benefits—a deeper understanding of yourself, better decision-making, and a clearer path towards your goals—making the Archaeological Dig a valuable tool in any entrepreneur’s kit.

Pause and reflect:

• Have you ever used a similar method to the Archaeological Dig Method to review your decision-making process? 

• Can you share an example of a bias that you discovered influenced your decision-making after conducting a personal archaeological dig?

• How often do you review your past decisions and their outcomes? Do you find a quarterly review beneficial, or do you prefer a different timeline?

• In your opinion, how important is understanding one's decision-making process to business success and personal growth?