Book Review - Decisive: How to Make Better Choices in Life and Work

👀 Why This Book Now?

Q: I’ve been circling a decision in my career for months. Will this book help?
A: Yes, and it doesn’t just say “trust your gut.” Decisive explains why we get stuck and teaches you how to make better choices, not just faster ones.

🚨 Key Insight: You’re Probably Making Decisions Too Narrowly

Q: What do most people do wrong when they’re stuck in decision-making?
A: We fall into what the authors call the “narrow frame.” It’s the trap of “Should I stay or should I go?” or “Do I take this course or not?” You’re only seeing two options.
Instead, they say: Widen the frame. Ask: ‘What else could I do?’

🧭 The 4-Part WRAP Framework

The authors offer a memorable model for better choices. Here’s how it might look for you:

W – Widen Your Options

Don’t fall for binary thinking. Ask peers what paths they’ve seen, or look into secondments or study that might bridge options.

R – Reality-Test Your Assumptions

Talk to someone already doing what you’re considering. Ask about the lived experience, not the brochure version.

A – Attain Distance Before Deciding

When you're emotionally tangled, pause. Imagine advising a friend in your shoes—what would you say?

P – Prepare to Be Wrong

No plan is perfect. Set “tripwires” (small checkpoints in time) where you reassess: Is this working? Do I want to keep going?

💬 “I’m going to try this course for 3 months. If I don’t feel engaged by then, I’ll explore something else.”

💥 Practical Tip for First Responders

Use “10/10/10” thinking — Ask yourself:

• How will I feel about this decision in 10 minutes?

• In 10 months?

• In 10 years?

It’s a great way to zoom out of the anxiety and focus on long-term alignment.

🚑 Final Takeaway (for the road):

You don’t need to be fearless to make great career choices.
You just need better tools, a wider view, and a mindset that progress beats perfection.

You’re not deciding forever. You’re deciding for now ... with intention.

You can access Decisive by Chip Heath & Dan Heath via print, digital or audio format.