Let’s face it – most of us waste too much energy on decisions that don’t deserve it. The right decision filter can save your sanity, but only if it actually reflects who you are.
Here are three approaches to building decision filters that match your values:
Option 1: The DIY Spreadsheet Approach
You can absolutely create your own decision matrix in a spreadsheet. List your values down one side, potential choices across the top, and score each option against your values.
Pros: It’s free, customizable, and forces you to think through what matters.
Cons: Most people abandon it after a few uses because it feels like homework. And let’s be honest – those values you list? They’re often what you think you should value, not what actually drives your decisions.
Option 2: The Pre-Built Framework Method
There are plenty of decision-making frameworks out there. The Eisenhower Matrix, WRAP method, even good old pros and cons lists.
Pros: These are battle-tested methods that work for many people and situations.
Cons: Generic frameworks don’t account for your unique creative wiring. They might help you make “good” decisions that still leave you feeling drained or uninspired.
Want to try creating something custom with AI? Here’s a prompt you can use with any AI assistant:
I need help creating a decision filter based on my unique values and energy patterns.
My core values are:
[List 3-5 personal values]
I feel most energized when:
[Describe 2-3 situations where you feel in flow]
I feel drained when:
[Describe 2-3 situations that deplete you]
Please help me create:
1. A set of 5-7 questions that will help me evaluate opportunities
2. What a "yes" looks like for each question
3. What a "no" looks like for each question
4. How to weigh these factors when they conflict
Option 3: The MakerFlow Method
In MakerFlow, decision filters start with your World Bible – the document that captures your unique values, energy sources, and boundaries. This means your filter is built on how you actually work, not how someone else thinks you should.
Pros: Decisions that honor both your values AND your energy patterns. You’ll make choices that move your business forward without burning you out.
Cons: Requires having a World Bible and understanding your own creative patterns (which MakerFlow helps you build).
What You’ll Need:
- Your World Bible (especially the Core Values section)
- The Decision Filter template
- Your Energy-Return Evaluator
Step-by-Step Process:
1. Clarify Your Core Values
- Open your World Bible and review your core values
- Create a new note using the “Decision Filter” template
- Rate the importance of each value (1-10) in your decision-making
2. Build Your Custom Decision Matrix
- Based on your top 5 values, create a decision matrix
- In your Flow Architect chat, use this prompt:
Based on my core values from my World Bible, help me create a decision filter for evaluating opportunities. My top values are:
1. [Value 1]
2. [Value 2]
3. [Value 3]
4. [Value 4]
5. [Value 5]
For each value, help me develop:
1. A specific question that tests if an opportunity aligns with this value
2. What a "yes" answer looks like
3. What a "no" answer looks like
4. How important this criterion is in my overall decision (weight)
3. Incorporate Energy Economics
- Add questions about energy investment and return:
- Will this energize me or drain me?
- What type of energy will this require most?
- Does this align with my current energy reserves?
- What’s the potential return on this energy investment?
4. Create Your Quick Filter
- Distill your full decision matrix into 3-5 essential questions
- Format these as a simple checklist you can reference quickly
- Add context-specific variants for different decision types (content, opportunities, collaborations)
5. Test and Refine
- Apply your filter to past decisions you’ve made
- Note where the filter would have led to different choices
- Refine questions that aren’t giving clear guidance
- Add this filter to your Dashboard for easy reference
Why MakerFlow Makes This So Much Better
MakerFlow doesn’t just give you a one-off decision filter. It helps you build an entire ecosystem where your decisions naturally align with your creative strengths.
Your World Bible, Energy-Return Evaluator, and Decision Filters work together as a unified system. When a new opportunity comes up, you don’t just evaluate it in isolation – you see how it fits into your entire creative world.
The result? A business that feels like it’s working with you, not against you.
Want to stop making decisions that look good on paper but drain your soul? Check out MakerFlow and build systems that actually work for your weird, wonderful brain.
