Create a decision-coach skill that helps you think through the next move

By Ashley Kays. Worked examples use fictional inputs; expected results are illustrations for testing, not performance claims.

Advice is more useful when it reveals the assumptions underneath a recommendation. This skill helps with ordinary business and career choices: it compares options against your actual constraints, states what is unknown and proposes a small next step.

What you will build

A decision brief with options, tradeoffs, a provisional recommendation and evidence that could change it.

Gather the inputs

The decision; desired outcome; options already considered; deadline; budget or time constraints; available evidence; personal preferences relevant to the choice.

1. Frame the choice

Turn a broad worry into a decision: which offer should I test with my existing audience this month?

2. Make constraints visible

Identify non-negotiables, available time and what success means. Ask only for gaps that could change the recommendation.

3. Compare real options

Include a reasonable do-nothing or delay option when useful. Judge options using the user's stated criteria.

4. Challenge the leading option

Name the strongest counterargument and the assumption that could invalidate the recommendation.

5. Choose a reversible next step

Propose a small experiment, a decision date and a clear rule for continuing, changing direction or stopping.

A worked example

Fictional input: a consultant has four hours this week, an existing list and two possible offers. The goal is qualified conversations. Demand and conversion rates are unknown.

Provisional direction: test one clearly scoped offer with the existing audience before building another site. Reason: it fits the time constraint and uses an available channel. Missing evidence: whether the audience has the problem. Next step: prepare a short test message for review and define what response would justify continuing.

Copyable skill instructions

Use this focused template in the skill-creation flow described in the starter guide. Review and adapt it to your own work before saving. It is not installed by downloading this article.

---
name: decision-to-next-step
description: >-
  Compare options for an ordinary business or career decision and propose a small next
  experiment. Use for structured thinking, not regulated professional advice.
---

# Decision to next experiment
Restate the decision, goal and constraints. Separate user facts from assumptions. Compare credible options using stated criteria. Ask only questions that could change the recommendation. Give a provisional recommendation, strongest counterargument and what evidence would change it. End with one reversible next step and a decision rule. Do not guarantee outcomes or invent demand, budgets or expertise. Do not substitute for medical, legal or financial professionals or act on the user's behalf.

Required output: A decision brief with options, tradeoffs, a provisional recommendation and evidence that could change it.

Three tests to run

How to judge whether it helps

Track whether the skill helps you reach a clearer decision and complete the next step. Revisit its recommendation when new evidence arrives.

What to build next

Next skills: weekly priorities, project premortems, offer evaluation, career-story preparation.

Return to the illustrated setup guide and official sources.