Effectual Reasoning
You bake with the flour you have.
- Danish folk saying
A way to examine where you are to decide where you want to go next. Means-based thinking over ends-based thinking. Instead of asking yourself "where do I want to go, and how can I bridge the gap?", instead think of "based on where I am now, where can I go from here?"
By definition, whatever you have is exactly what you need to produce your best work.
Taking an Effectual Reasoning Inventory
Who Are You
- Natural strengths?
- Traits?
- Abilities?
Who do you know
- In your social networks?
- In your professional networks?
What do you know
- Training?
- Expertise?
- Interests?
- Experience?
Effectual Reasoning Exercise
- Determine Vague Goal
- Identify Means via the effectual reasoning inventory
- Imagine Clearly Defined Ends
- Prioritize
- Manage risk
- Ready, Fire, Aim
Further Reading
Tags
- thought exercises - the inventory above can be used to spur some ideas.
- decision making models - effectual reasoning can be used as a tool to help make the decision "where do I go next?"