...Take the example of trying to decide what restaurant to go to. This is a problem that has a particular computational structure. You've got a set of options, you're going to choose one of those options, and you're going to face exactly the same decision tomorrow. In that situation, you run up against what computer scientists call the "explore-exploit trade-off." You have to make a decision about whether you're going to try something new -- exploring, gathering some information that you might be able to use in the future -- or whether you're going to go to a place that you already know is pretty good -- exploiting the information that you've already gathered so far. The explore/exploit trade-off shows up any time you have to choose between trying something new and going with something that you already know is pretty good...

...Knowing the exact math of probability calculations is not the key to understanding Bayesian thinking. More critical is your ability and desire to assign probabilities of truth and accuracy to anything you think you know, and then being willing to update those probabilities when new information comes in...

...If your income has indeed increased since you opened your credit card, and you have considerable self control over your spending, you should go ahead and update your income. The increased credit limit could actually boost your credit score...

...In order to improve our performance, we need to model our preparation, our effort and our form against a standard, not base it on the outcome. Because outcomes aren’t always guaranteed by our work...

...One could argue that recent world and domestic events more than justify anxiety and a negative outlook. But a new study in the journal Behavior Therapy finds that many of the worries that occupy an anxious mind never come to fruition...

...A useful skill in executive decision making is the ability to describe resiliency and the cost of failure in non-emotional ways. Especially when it’s difficult do precisely that...

...The great thing about the matrix is that it can help you quickly delegate decisions. You do have to do a bit of mental work before you start, such as defining and communicating consequentiality and reversibility, as well as where the blurring lines are...

...Here’s what I’ve learned, from college experts, campus orientations and my own years of being a college parent, about how to navigate this shift in the relationship...

...Once your son or daughter moves in, the room will never look like that again. Opt for sturdy items and be realistic...

...That point isn’t really whether we’re right and they’re wrong or they’re right and we’re wrong — often neither of us are perfectly correct. The point is how our ego subconsciously works to protect itself from anyone and anything that doesn’t entirely agree with us...

...Some worries belong in the "unlikely to happen/deal with it when it actually does" bin...

...Forward motion is the best way to make things better...

...If you’re not learning, you’re standing still...

...Research has shown that that the typical person makes about 2,000 decisions every waking hour...

...Almost nothing you’re socially scared of is actually scary...

...Things are not always as they appear. Often when we solve one problem, we end up unintentionally creating another one that’s even worse. The best way to examine the long-term consequences of our decisions is to use second-order thinking...

...As Arthur Ashe said, “To achieve greatness, start where you are, use what you have, do what you can.”...

...It’s probably low relative to your future earnings potential. It may even give you permission to dial back your own intensity – and spend some more quality time today with your family...

...Once you’ve gotten the hang of these decision-making basics in place, you can pick one or two tactics for deciding more quickly...

...Often, the best thing to do with a lost cause is to let it go...