Welcome to Your Starting Point for Novel Decision-Making

Novel Decision-Making: Turning “One Day” into Day One

We all seek growth—through learning, experiences, and new challenges. But stepping into the unknown can feel overwhelming, causing hesitation and delay. The brain craves certainty, and without familiar reference points, it may perceive new decisions as a threat. This often leads to procrastination, with thoughts like, “One day, I’ll start.”

The good news? Your brain has a built-in system to navigate new territory. When facing unfamiliar situations, the Deliberate Decision-Making System activates problem-solving and analysis to find the best path forward. Unlike modifying an existing solution, novel decision-making requires a structured process to turn uncertainty into action.

Novel vs. Upgrading Existing Solutions

🔹 Novel Decisions: Require learning from scratch, engaging critical thinking, planning, and problem-solving.
🔹 Upgrading Solutions: Build on existing knowledge, adjusting what already works.

By providing the brain with the right information and structure, you can shift from hesitation to progress—turning “One day” into Day One.

Navigating Novel Decisions with Confidence

Novel decisions require high mental effort, making it essential to follow a structured framework. The Deliberate Decision-Making Process (DDMP) helps the brain stay focused and organized during complex, long-term decisions.

Examples of Novel Decisions

1️⃣ Starting a New Career – Switching industries requires research, skill evaluation, and strategic planning.
2️⃣ Moving Abroad – Involves learning about culture, cost of living, and legal logistics.
3️⃣ Developing a New Product – Requires market research, funding, and technical feasibility analysis.
4️⃣ Choosing Medical Treatment – Involves researching options, weighing risks, and consulting experts.
5️⃣ Buying a Business – Demands learning industry operations, financial planning, and compliance.
6️⃣ Selecting a College – A first-time college student must explore options, courses, and scheduling.

Key Takeaway

• Novel Decisions: Require new learning, exploration, and tolerance for uncertainty.
• Upgrading Existing Solutions: Adjusts what’s already known to improve efficiency.

The DDMP provides tailored tools for both decision types, ensuring the best approach based on familiarity. Choosing the right tool increases suc

Supporting DDM Tools

Deliberate decision-making is activated when the situation is complex or unknown. This often means these decisions are challenging and often stressful. As a result, the brain reacts to this stress, withholding necessary cognitive resources and preventing the decision-maker from completing the process. By using the following complimentary tools explained below, your brain’s natural decision-making process is supported, and the likelihood of completing a deliberate decision is improved. Each step is a supportive hand, releasing cognitive resources and maintaining an Up-regulated state.

Before the DIY DDMP

Is this the best time to make a deliberate decision? The right time to make a complex decision for selecting a new solution depends on a number of factors.

During the DIY DDMP

Use the Automatic Systems Behavior Evaluation as a quick tool of 20 seconds to provide the ACC with information about the likelihood of remaining up-regulated. If down-regulation has occurred than progress in the DIY DDMP will be impaired.