How I Make Decisions as a NASA Engineer

Summary

Ali Aluli, a post-doctoral fellow and systems engineer at NASA Jet Propulsion Lab, shares his algorithmic approach to decision-making that he credits for his successful career at NASA. The video outlines a six-step process: defining the decision, hypothesizing based on personal logic, seeking expert advice, analyzing the advice critically, comparing it with the initial hypothesis, and finally making a decision based on intuition informed by the previous steps. Aluli emphasizes the importance of not just following expert advice blindly but also trusting one's gut feeling after thorough analysis. He highlights that while his method may not always lead to the right outcome, it ensures personal satisfaction and minimal regrets as it aligns with one's inner desires and intellectual reasoning.

Takeaways

• 🔍 **Define the Decision**: Clearly understand what you are deciding on before making any decisions.
• 🧐 **Hypothesize**: Use your own logic and knowledge to form an initial hypothesis without external input.
• 🗣️ **Ask Experts**: Consult with people who have achieved the results you want; they can provide valuable insights.
• 🤔 **Analyze Advice**: Critically think about the advice you receive, don't accept it blindly.
• 📊 **Compare and Contrast**: Weigh the analyzed advice against your initial hypothesis to see if it changes your perspective.
• 🧘 **Trust Your Intuition**: After thorough analysis, make the final decision based on your gut feeling, which is informed by your intellectual reasoning.
• 💭 **Intuition is Informed**: Your intuition is a result of your deep desires combined with your intellectual analysis.
• 🛑 **Regret Minimization**: Make decisions that you won't regret, even if they are not always right.
• 🌟 **Follow Your Heart**: After intellectual work, follow your heart and intuition, as they guide you towards what feels right for you.
• 🤓 **Critical Thinking is Key**: Always maintain your own critical thinking, even when receiving advice from experts.
• 🌱 **Maintain Balance**: Ensure you are well-rested, eat well, and take care of your health to keep your intuition sharp.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is about Ali Aluli's decision-making process, which he uses to make significant life choices, including how it helped him secure his job at NASA.

What is the first step in Ali's decision-making algorithm?

The first step in Ali's decision-making algorithm is to clearly define the decision that needs to be made.

How does Ali categorize decisions in his algorithm?

Ali categorizes decisions as either short-term reversible or long-term irreversible, based on the duration and potential for reversal of the decision's impact.

What does Ali suggest doing after defining the decision?

After defining the decision, Ali suggests turning inwards and formulating a hypothesis based on one's own logic and knowledge without external inputs.

Why is it important to ask experts for advice in the decision-making process?

It is important to ask experts for advice because they have the results that you want and can provide valuable insights based on their experience and understanding of the field.

What is the role of critical thinking in Ali's algorithm?

Critical thinking is used to analyze the advice received from others. It involves not blindly trusting expert advice but questioning and evaluating it for oneself.

How does Ali suggest comparing your hypothesis with the advice received from others?

Ali suggests averaging out the advice received from others and comparing it to your initial hypothesis to see how they align or differ, which helps in making a more informed decision.

What is the final step in Ali's decision-making algorithm?

The final step in Ali's decision-making algorithm is to make the final call based on intuition, which is a gut feeling that arises from the combination of intellectual analysis and personal desires.

Why is it crucial to follow one's intuition after doing the intellectual work?

Following one's intuition after intellectual work is crucial because it combines rational analysis with personal desires and emotions, leading to more satisfying decisions that align with one's true self.

What does Ali suggest to ensure a well-calibrated intuition?

Ali suggests ensuring good sleep, eating a clean diet, and maintaining a clear state of mind to help calibrate intuition better.

How does Ali feel about decisions made against his intuition?

Ali feels regretful and resentful when he goes against his intuition, as it often leads to less satisfying outcomes and a sense of missed opportunity to listen to his inner guidance.

What is the significance of the plot twist at the end of the algorithm?

The plot twist signifies the importance of intuition in decision-making. It suggests that while intellectual analysis is vital, the final decision should be guided by a gut feeling or intuition that takes into account both the analysis and personal desires.