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

1. Determine Vague Goal
2. Identify Means via the effectual reasoning inventory
3. Imagine Clearly Defined Ends
4. Prioritize
5. Manage risk
6. Ready, Fire, Aim

Further Reading

• Effectual Reasoning: The Little Known Method Entrepreneurs Use to Figure Out What They Want - Taylor Pearson

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?"