Start Making Smarter Life Decisions With This Simple Strategy
Written by Michelle Ong | February 8, 2025 | Growth, Wellness
Ever feel stuck making decisions or worry you’re not choosing the best option? Find out how to make smarter decisions with this strategy—De Bono’s Six Thinking Hats.
Whether we like it or not, making choices is a big part of daily life. Some people seem to have a knack for it—they just know how to weigh options and make a solid choice without overthinking. But if you are someone who feels a bit shaky when it comes to decision-making, don’t worry; you are not alone!
This post can help you turn that around by introducing you to a super useful strategy: the Six Thinking Hats method by Edward de Bono. Think of this technique like having six different “hats” you can put on, each one helping you look at a decision from a different angle.
Whether you are deciding on something as simple as what to have for dinner or a big career move, these hats can help you get out of your head and make clearer, more balanced choices. Ready to give it a try? This strategy might just be the game-changer you need!
What Are De Bono’s Hats?
De Bono’s Six Thinking Hats is a powerful tool that guides you to approach decision-making from six distinct perspectives, each represented by a “hat.”
Developed by Dr Edward de Bono, a renowned psychologist and creativity expert, this method was conceived as a way to break out of one-dimensional thinking.
De Bono noticed that people often get stuck in fixed habitual patterns when making decisions. So he designed the Six Thinking Hats to simplify complex thinking and encourage flexibility. To help people systematically explore every angle of a choice without confusion or bias.
In this framework, the White Hat focuses on gathering facts and information, while the Red Hat encourages you to explore emotions and intuition. The Black Hat helps identify potential risks, and the Yellow Hat highlights the positives and potential benefits. The Green Hat opens up creativity, inviting new ideas, while the Blue Hat manages the decision-making process, keeping things organized and on track.
By using these “hats,” de Bono’s method provides a well-rounded approach to decisions—helping to make choices with clarity, creativity, and practical consideration.
How To Employ This Strategy?
You might be thinking, “Okay, I get that these hats represent different ways of looking at things, but how do I actually use them?”
Great question! Let’s break it down with a relatable example—a big life event like a wedding.
We will go through each of the six hats to show you how they can help you brainstorm ideas, create a balanced plan, and tackle any concerns, all without the usual stress and overload (or missing out on important details).
So let’s dive in and see how each hat plays a part in making those big decisions smoother and smarter.
White Hat
Wearing the White Hat is like putting on X-ray glasses that let you zoom in on all the essential facts and details you need to plan your wedding.
Think about it—there’s the budget, the guest list, the choice of an intimate gathering or a big bash, deciding between a lunch or dinner wedding, picking the right venue, and choosing a photographer to capture every moment.
With the White Hat on, you will be in the mode of getting clear answers and comparing options. You might look up different venues to see if they can fit 150 guests comfortably or check if your budget can stretch to cover that amazing live band you have been eyeing. It’s not just about crunching numbers; it’s about using that information to make a well-rounded decision.
This approach aligns with Plato’s idea that “A good decision is based on knowledge and not on numbers.” Numbers alone won’t give you the full picture, but combining them with the knowledge of your goals, preferences, and priorities will help you make better choices. Grounding yourself in these facts ensures that you’re starting with a solid plan, so you don’t get any surprises down the road.
Red Hat
“Your emotions are the slaves to your thoughts, and you are the slave to your emotions.” — Elizabeth Gilbert
Red is often linked with passion, and here it symbolizes emotions and intuition. Think of it as the hat that lets you tap into your feelings—a window straight to your heart. This hat helps you tap into not only your own feelings but those of everyone involved—exactly what you need for an event as emotionally charged as a wedding!
Weddings bring out a whirlwind of emotions: excitement about the big day, joy in celebrating with loved ones, nervousness over all the little details, and maybe even a touch of overwhelm at everything that needs organizing.
From the proposal to the planning stages, the ceremony itself, the after-party, and even the honeymoon, the Red Hat encourages you to acknowledge these feelings and consider the emotions of your partner, family members, friends helping with the planning, and guests.
For example, maybe you are deciding on the venue. Wearing the Red Hat, you might lean toward a place that holds sentimental value—where you first met, or a location that symbolizes something meaningful to you both.
Or maybe you are thinking about including a family tradition in the ceremony or a song that has a special connection. This hat lets you honor these emotional touches, like asking a close friend to give a heartfelt toast or adding a unique wedding theme that reflects your story together.
This hat allows you to recognize and embrace these feelings without overthinking, ensuring your wedding feels authentic and personal at every stage.
Black Hat
“The first step in making a good decision is learning to avoid bad decisions.” — Robert T. Kiyosaki
What comes to mind when you think of the color black? Darkness, maybe a touch of uncertainty? That’s exactly the vibe of the Black Hat—it’s all about spotting potential risks and preparing for them.
Imagine you are planning an outdoor wedding dinner; the setting sounds perfect until you consider, “What if it rains?” Wearing the Black Hat means having a backup plan, like renting a tent or booking a nearby indoor space just in case.
This hat helps you think through all the “what-ifs” so you are ready for any surprises, avoiding last-minute chaos or mishaps. By planning for these challenges, you keep everything running smoothly and stress-free.
“The risk of a wrong decision is preferable to the terror of indecision.” — Maimonides
But don’t get discouraged or let fear take over when looking at potential risks—there’s no need to feel overwhelmed or frozen by indecision! This is where the next hat, the Yellow Hat, steps in to save the day.
Yellow Hat
“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” — Winston Churchill
Yellow often brings to mind sunshine, warmth, and happy vibes—just like what the Yellow Hat is all about!
When you put on the Yellow Hat, you are looking at the bright side, focusing on what’s exciting or beneficial about each choice.
It’s about seeing the potential in every option, like imagining how amazing it would be to have a live band at your wedding or visualizing the joy of a beautiful outdoor ceremony.
Imagine you are deciding between a morning or evening ceremony: the Yellow Hat can help you see the unique perks of each. A morning ceremony could lead to a cozy brunch with your guests, while an evening wedding might offer beautiful sunset photos.
This hat keeps you tuned into the positives and helps you lean into the excitement, so you feel confident and motivated about your decisions.
Green Hat
“Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.” — Albert Einstein
Now we are putting on the Green Hat, which, like nature, is all about growth, creativity, and fresh ideas.
When you wear the Green Hat, you are stepping outside the usual boundaries, letting your imagination roam to come up with unique, personalized ideas. It’s the part of planning where you get to dream big and think up ways to make your wedding truly your own.
Let’s say you are torn between two typical options for wedding favors—maybe little boxes of chocolates or candles. With the Green Hat on, you might brainstorm something different, like setting up a DIY photo booth where guests can create keepsakes, or offering mini potted plants as eco-friendly takeaways.
You could even add a fun twist to the ceremony itself. Maybe the traditional exchange of vows feels too formal, so with the Green Hat on, you might think about adding a personal touch that represents you both as a couple.
For instance, if you and your partner love traveling, you could incorporate a mini “passport exchange” during the ceremony, where you stamp each other’s “passports” to symbolize the start of your life journey together.
Or if you are both big foodies, you might consider a “unity cocktail” ceremony where you each add ingredients to mix a drink that you can share—a fun, tasty way to symbolize your union!
The Green Hat helps you explore playful, meaningful ways to make your wedding unforgettable and uniquely yours.
Blue Hat
“Good order is the foundation of all things.” — Edmund Burke
Finally, we have the Blue Hat. The color blue brings to mind calm, structure, and staying on track—just what you need when it’s time to get organized.
With this hat on, you switch into ‘planner mode’ to make sure everything is running smoothly and on schedule.
Imagine creating a checklist of tasks, like booking a venue, ordering flowers, and arranging transportation. You’d send out invitations three months in advance, meet with the photographer two months before, and confirm details with the caterer a month prior.
The Blue Hat keeps you on top of it all, so every detail falls into place without last-minute stress. It’s like having a project manager’s mindset, ensuring nothing slips through the cracks and all the plans come together seamlessly for the big day.
Final Thoughts
The De Bono’s Six Thinking Hats aren’t just a quirky metaphor; it is a powerful system of thinking that help you see all sides of a situation—from logical details to emotional impact, from creative ideas to cautious considerations.
Incorporating these imaginary hats into your decision-making process can truly change the way you approach choices, big or small. The next time you are facing a tricky decision—whether it’s about work, relationships, or planning a fun event—try using these hats to guide you. They will help you gain clarity and feel more confident in your choices.
“In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.” — Theodore Roosevelt
The worst thing you can do is nothing at all. So, no matter how small a step might seem, just start!
Maybe begin with a simple daily decision and see how it feels to think things through in a balanced, focused way. You might discover that decisions become less overwhelming and, who knows, even a little bit enjoyable!
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If you are interested in more tips on making smarter decisions, be sure to check out these posts on how to make better choices and the common pitfalls to watch out for!
