Decision making made
easy with a mathematical equation, who would have thought? My background in
education as a career started in the field of math. Over the span of a year I
taught students how to learn math through practical application practices so
reading about solving multistage problems using an equation makes perfect sense
to me.
I find that people
solve many problems or make decisions using mathematical equations and don’t
even realize it. Take this as an example; you want to buy a new car. First you
identify the variables (x), 1x = cost of the car (per month), 2x = your income,
3x = personal expenses; for this example the car as an object will equal C. In
order to get to C you have to ensure that 2x – 3x does not become a negative
number and that 1x +3x cannot equal more than 2x because then you would be in
the negative there for making no money for other needs and eliminating the ability
or means to purchase a new car. This is a relatively simple equation but you
could breakdown 3x deeper if you needed to identify areas where you could spend
less to allow for more money to go towards the car.
I am the type of person
who uses these types of equations often because it makes more rational sense to
me. A + B = C, it is simple logic therefore it is logical and easier for me to
understand. This type of problem solving or decision making allows for me make
things tangible. I can touch and manipulate the equation to make sure I come
out positive but I cannot touch an idea. Once the equation is on paper (or in
my mind) I can see how it flows, I understand the inter-workings and can add in
additional variables when necessary.
I tend to think of
myself as a rational person. I grew up as the child of single parent and was
often sheltered from things that could harm me. As I grew up I rebelled because
I didn’t like being closed off from certain things but as I got older I became
even more protective of myself and the decisions I made as an adult. I always
seemed to do the “right thing” in life. After high school I went straight to
college, graduated with honors, got a good job and shortly thereafter started
graduate school. I was methodical in my decision making process and was always thinking
about how my decisions now would affect me later. I am glad to say I am still
that way but at times I wish I could just be more free, jump without looking
first and maybe for one just take a big leap of faith and see what happens. I
envy people who are the more free in their style of making decisions because I
do not know how to do that. I often get told I am “too tightly wound” and I
think that is because this is my train of thinking (example: going out on town
with my girl friends); instead of wondering what to wear I want to know, how
are we getting there? Do we have a DD or a cab? What is the cost to get in? How
much are the drinks or are there specials? Can I afford this outing? What am I
doing tomorrow? Do I have to be up early? Will this affect other plans? All of
these questions are running through my mind instead of just getting dressed and
going out. I suppose this is what makes me different than other people but I
suppose there are times when I knew how others who are different than me live
and think.
I am also a planner and
I am always thinking about what is next and how to get there. Optimal planning
allows me to make better decisions because I see how my decisions now will
affect tomorrow. Although not all decisions can be solved using this equation
or way of thinking it does give assistance when solving more complex
situations. The text talks about optimal answers being the more obvious choice
but for me that isn’t always something I see right away which can make this
process more difficult for me. I have the tendency to weigh the pros and cons
too heavily which enables me to make straightforward decisions. I need to relax
and try to hold back from over analyzing decisions and variables in my life.
I understand that I am
difficult in general as a decision maker and I have hard time seeing grey
because I prefer for things to be the classic binary of black and white. I
suppose that boils down to the idea that I like to be in control and when
something is black or white I can control the outcome but grey, well grey makes
things more difficult for me. I hope throughout this course and the assigned
texts we will be reading I will be able to accept grey into my decision making
process so that I can alleviate the certain stresses that come with be an
over-analyzing decision maker.
Just a little
mathematical humor
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