Start Making Smarter Life Decisions With This Simple Strategy
Written by Michelle Ong | February 8, 2025
Most of us struggle with big life decisions not because we’re indecisive, but because we only look at them from one angle.
For years, I made decisions based on whatever felt loudest in the moment—fear, excitement, pressure, or “what people usually do.”
No wonder everything felt harder than it needed to be.
Eventually, I found a simple mental tool that made even the biggest decisions feel less overwhelming: The Six Thinking Hats by Edward de Bono.
Think of it as a structured way to step out of your own head and look at a decision—like changing jobs or switching careers—from six different angles.
It keeps you from overthinking and from rushing. It balances clarity with intuition.
And honestly? It just makes decision-making feel calmer.
Let me show you how it works.
What Are De Bono’s Hats?
Each “hat” represents a different way of thinking.
Instead of mixing logic, fear, hopes, and assumptions all at once, you separate them—one hat at a time.
Here’s why it helps: When you switch hats, you’re shifting perspective.
It’s like having six different versions of you sitting at the table, each offering their view.
How To Use This Strategy (Career Change Example)
Let’s say you’re thinking about leaving your job or switching industries.
Here’s how each hat guides your thinking—without spiralling or overcomplicating things.
1. White Hat: What Are the Facts?
“A good decision is based on knowledge and not on numbers.” *—*Plato
This is your data mode.
No emotions. No assumptions. Just information.
Questions to ask:
What’s my current salary and what’s the market rate in the new field?
What skills do I already have and what will I need to learn?
How long will a transition realistically take?
What are typical working hours, culture, stability, growth opportunities?
It’s the groundwork.
Clear facts → clearer thinking.
2. Red Hat: How Do I Feel About This?
“Your emotions are the slaves to your thoughts, and you are the slave to your emotions.” — Elizabeth Gilbert
This is where you check in with your gut.
Ask yourself:
Do I feel excited thinking about this new career?
Am I staying in my current job out of fear or comfort?
Is the idea of change energizing or heavy?
This hat gives emotions space without needing them to “make sense.”
Sometimes your heart tells you what your mind avoids.
3. Black Hat: What Could Go Wrong?
“The first step in making a good decision is learning to avoid bad decisions.” — Robert T. Kiyosaki
Not pessimism. Just protection.
You might think:
What if I switch careers and realize I don’t enjoy the new role?
What if the pay cut affects my lifestyle?
What if I can’t keep up with the learning curve?
The Black Hat is here to help you be prepared, not scared.
It keeps you grounded.
4. Yellow Hat: What Could Go Right?
“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” — Winston Churchill
Now flip the script.
Think:
What if the new career finally aligns with my strengths?
What if this leads to better growth and fulfilment?
What if I end up more energized, inspired, and proud of my work?
This hat brings optimism to the table—to balance out the risks.
5. Green Hat: What Possibilities Haven’t I Considered?
“Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.” — Albert Einstein
Time to get creative.
Maybe you think:
Instead of quitting immediately, could I start with a part-time course?
Could I job-shadow someone in the new industry?
Could I negotiate a hybrid role or test out a small transition?
Creativity creates options, and options reduce fear.
6. Blue Hat: What’s the Plan?
“Good order is the foundation of all things.” — Edmund Burke
This is your “project manager” hat.
It helps you tie everything together.
You might outline:
What research you’ll do next.
Who you need to talk to.
What skills you need to build.
A timeline with small, realistic steps.
This hat turns reflection into action.
Final Thoughts
“The risk of a wrong decision is preferable to the terror of indecision.” — Maimonides
What I love about the Six Thinking Hats is how it slows things down just enough to think clearly—without getting stuck.
Changing jobs or shifting careers can feel huge, emotional, and messy.
But when you approach it from different angles, the path forward becomes surprisingly clearer.
Smart decisions aren’t about knowing the “right” answer.
They’re about giving yourself space to explore the full picture.
And that’s how intentional living really begins.
💡Learn how to make better choices and about the common pitfalls.
🌱 Reader Reflection
Think about a decision you’ve been putting off—big or small.
Which hat feels hardest for you to put on?
And which hat do you think could help you move forward today?
