# Owning the Frame ## 1. Summary **Problem** **Answer** **Automatic Behavior** > Do the work to find a credible third option. ## 2. Arguments and Context We often act as if our choices are *binary*, meaning that we only have two options. Once a problem is *framed* in a binary way, our brains are tricked into thinking these two options are the only ones available to us. This means that we miss out on big opportunities. Many [decisions](Decision.md) seem like a choice of *this **or** that*, when in reality they is almost always another option. One of the most important skills that you can develop as a decision maker is to get out of the tendency to see the world in binaries. [Research has shown](Decision-quality-vs-number-of-options.md) that if we *do the work* necessary to have a third option, we are forced to get really creative and really dig into the problem. Giving ourselves *more choices* increase the chance we will be happier down the road (it is worth pointing out that in the short term this approach is much harder and mentally demanding). #### Meta > By forcing ourselves to come up with a 3rd option we, by necessity, will understand the problem better! This technique is better than simply thinking deeply about the problem since we have already become too narrow/focused. This technique allows us to see the problem from a new angle. In a sense we are expanding our [Sample Space](Sample%20Space.md). Getting creative with our options: 1. Helps align our decisions with our goals 2. Helps better understand the problem 3. Gives us optionality in the future ### Breaking out of binary thinking There are 4 main techniques to [Break out of Binary Thinking](Break%20out%20of%20Binary%20Thinking.md): * Vanishing Options * This ***and*** That options * Explore opportunity cost * Gather more information --- tags: #decision-making #problem-solving #critical-thinking links: [Decision by Design MOC](Decision%20by%20Design%20MOC.md) created: 2020-12-01 modified: 2020-12-01