Many people overthink because they treat small choices like life-defining decisions. As a result, they waste attention and create constant mental noise.
The Decision Weight Test helps you classify a decision fast, and then apply the right level of effort. If you want to run this on a real decision and leave with a written summary, see book a session.
What “decision weight” means
Decision weight is how much a choice changes your constraints: time, money, freedom, identity, relationships, and health. In other words, it measures impact, not emotion.
Why you should score the weight before you decide
First, it prevents you from overinvesting in low-impact choices. Second, it stops you from pretending a heavy decision is “just a mood.”
Therefore, the goal is simple: match effort to weight.
Examples: light vs medium vs heavy decisions
- Light: which gym to join, which laptop to buy, which routine to start (usually reversible).
- Medium: changing roles internally, moving apartments within the same city, starting a serious relationship.
- Heavy: leaving a long-term relationship, quitting a stable job without savings, moving countries, having a child.
However, “heavy” does not mean “never decide.” It means you decide with clearer costs and a tighter plan.
The Decision Weight Test (0–10 score)
Score each category from 0 to 2. Then add the total.
Step 1: score these five categories
- Reversibility: Can you undo it within 30–90 days?
- Time/energy cost: Does it consume meaningful hours and recovery?
- Money cost: Does it materially affect your finances?
- Relationship impact: Does it change core relationships?
- Identity impact: Does it require a different version of you?
Step 2: classify the decision by the total score
- 0–3: light decision
- 4–6: medium decision
- 7–10: heavy decision
What to do for each weight category
Light decisions: cap the time, choose, and move
If it’s light and reversible, you do not need perfect certainty. Instead, you need a time cap and one action.
- Set a time limit (for example: 30 minutes).
- Choose “good enough,” not “best possible.”
- Do one step immediately (buy, book, start).
For example, choosing a gym: pick the closest gym you can afford. Then go three times before you evaluate anything.
Medium decisions: choose and add a review point
Medium decisions need a plan for adjustment. Therefore, you decide and then create a review point so you don’t ruminate forever.
- Define what “working” looks like.
- Set one date to review, not endless analysis.
- Create one small anchor action this week.
For example, moving apartments: choose based on commute, budget, and safety. Then stop trying to fix your entire life through one apartment.
Heavy decisions: define costs and stop delaying
Heavy decisions become worse when you delay. In contrast, a clear cost list reduces emotional chaos because you stop bargaining with reality.
- Write the two options.
- Write the cost of each option (money, freedom, respect, health).
- Choose the cost you can carry without ongoing self-betrayal.
- Lock it in with one action this week.
Common mistakes that keep you overthinking
- Mistake 1: Treating reversible choices like permanent identity decisions.
- Mistake 2: Using “research” to delay an uncomfortable truth.
- Mistake 3: Waiting to feel calm before you act, instead of acting to create clarity.
FAQ
What if everything feels heavy?
Usually that is anxiety plus perfectionism. Therefore, re-check reversibility first. Many “heavy-feeling” choices are adjustable.
Why do I reopen light decisions?
Typically it’s not about the decision. Instead, it’s about image, fear of judgment, or needing approval.
If you want to apply the Decision Weight Test to your actual situation and leave with a clean plan, sBook a cāive Session.
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Note: cāive is clarity coaching and education. It isn’t medical or mental health care.