The scoring formula (built for speed)

Each slider is rated from 1 to 10. Risk and cost are inverted (because more risk or cost usually reduces clarity). We combine the signals into a weighted average for each option, then convert it into a 0–100 score.

• Values alignment: 22%
• Long‑term impact: 18%
• Upside potential: 14%
• Risk (inverted): 14%
• Reversibility: 12%
• Cost / effort (inverted): 10%
• Confidence in info: 7%
• Energy / excitement: 3%

• 80–100: clear — pick the higher option and take the next step.
• 60–79: mostly clear — decide, but run a small experiment to validate.
• 40–59: mixed — don’t force it; gather info and reduce uncertainty.
• 0–39: foggy — pause, simplify, or change the question.

Decision Clarity Card

After calculating, you’ll see a short “card” you can copy/share:

• Option A vs Option B clarity scores
• Which option currently wins (and by how much)
• Your best next step (decide, experiment, or gather info)
• The two weakest sliders to improve (your leverage points)

Sharing tip: Post your “card” as a story or tweet and ask: “What am I missing?” Crowd wisdom works best when you show trade‑offs.

Decision clarity: the practical model

Most people think they’re stuck because they “can’t decide,” but in practice you’re usually stuck for one of three reasons: (1) unclear values, (2) unclear consequences, or (3) unclear uncertainty. This tool turns those three problems into a simple score you can improve.

Here’s the core idea: clarity is a signal, not a feeling. When you look closely, clarity tends to rise when: your option matches what you care about (values), creates meaningful upside (impact), doesn’t risk catastrophic downside (risk), and is either reversible or you have enough confidence to commit. When clarity is low, the answer is rarely “think harder.” The answer is: change the inputs.

• They force trade‑offs: you can’t say everything is “high.” If you do, the score exposes inconsistency.
• They compress noise: even an imperfect estimate is better than endless looping.
• They reveal leverage: the lowest two sliders show where one action can change your certainty.

Values alignment answers: “If I did this for a year, would I respect myself more or less?” This includes integrity, learning, freedom, family, health, creativity, service, stability, growth — your personal mix. If an option scores high in upside but low in values, you may feel a subtle internal resistance (and that’s data).

People confuse these. Impact is how much it matters in the chosen time horizon (2 weeks, 3 months, 12 months). Upside is the best‑case scenario if things go well. You can have high upside with low impact (a “lottery ticket”), or high impact with modest upside (a stable improvement). Separating them makes trade‑offs clearer.

Risk is the size of the downside and how likely it is. Cost is what it consumes (time, money, energy, reputation). Reversibility is your escape hatch. A reversible decision can be treated like a test; an irreversible one deserves more confidence. This tool inverts risk and cost so that the score rises when downside pressure is lower.

Confidence is not “confidence in yourself.” It’s confidence in your information. Do you have real data, have you talked to someone who’s done it, did you try a small version, did you see the numbers? If your confidence slider is low, the fastest way forward is a small research step, not more rumination.

Three quick examples (with realistic numbers)

Decision: “New job offer?” Option A (accept) might have values 7, impact 8, upside 8, risk 6, reversibility 5, cost 7, confidence 6, energy 8. Option B (stay) might have values 6, impact 6, upside 5, risk 4, reversibility 7, cost 4, confidence 7, energy 4. The tool often shows a clear winner or highlights that confidence is the lever (e.g., talk to the hiring manager, meet the team, ask about workload).

Option A (side project) could score high in values and excitement but higher in cost. Option B (rest) might score high in risk reduction (lower burnout) and reversibility. If the scores are close, the next step might be: “Run a one‑week prototype with a strict time cap.”

A purchase decision can look “obvious” until you rate cost and risk honestly. If cost is high and reversibility is low, clarity drops — which is your cue to gather numbers, delay, or downgrade.

• Run the tool in 60 seconds.
• If the winner is clear, decide and take a tiny first step.
• If it’s mixed, do one experiment to raise the lowest slider (usually confidence).
• Re‑score tomorrow — clarity should move when reality changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is this “the correct” way to decide?

  No tool can decide for you. This is a clarity tool: it helps you see trade‑offs and identify the next best step. The best decision is the one you can commit to with integrity and a plan.

• Why compare two options only?

  Two options forces clarity. If you have three or more, pick the two most realistic finalists, run the tool, then compare the winner against the next contender.

• What if both scores are low?

  That’s useful: it suggests your framing might be wrong. Try adding a third option like “do nothing for 2 weeks,” “a smaller version,” or “gather info first.” Low scores often mean high uncertainty or misaligned values.

• What if the scores are close?

  Close scores mean it’s a trade‑off. Don’t force certainty. Use the “lowest sliders” list to design a small experiment, then re‑score.

• Can I use this for high‑stakes decisions?

  You can use it as a reflection aid, but you should also consult qualified professionals for legal, medical, or financial decisions.

• Does this save my inputs?

  No. Calculation happens in your browser. If you tap “Save,” we only store the results card locally on your device.

How to use this responsibly

Use the score to notice patterns, start conversations, and reduce uncertainty. Don’t use it to offload accountability. If the decision affects your safety, health, or legal standing, get appropriate professional support.

• Clarify: What are the real options?
• Estimate: Best‑case, worst‑case, and likely case.
• Reduce: What experiment increases confidence?
• Commit: Take one reversible step.
• Review: Re‑score after new info.

“What am I missing?” prompt

People give better feedback when you show your trade‑offs. After you calculate, copy the Decision Clarity Card and ask: “I’m leaning Option A. What am I missing?”

• “Option A vs B — my scores surprised me. Any blind spots?”
• “I’m stuck between these. Which slider would you improve first?”
• “If you had 1 question to ask before deciding, what would it be?”