The Rubber Band Model

Wat is holding you? What is pulling you?

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This week’s episode of NAN is a free read in honour of a friend I want you to do something for at the end of the episode. Stay tuned.

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To burn some mental calories while waiting for the ticks and tocks of the day to slowly rear toward the freedom that comes with my appointed exit time from a building, I recently slammed myself into a book I would not ordinarily find delightful; The Decision Book: 50 Models for Strategic Thinking by Krogerus, M., & Tschäppeler, R. (2012).

The re-visitation of the book and its further referencing on NAN is proof that the book did make an impression. And it is one which I am soon to share with you.

From observation, our openness to new knowledge or the utilisation of old information is often tilted in the direction of whatever mental satisfaction we currently derive from such information or the promise of what we may yet get from such information in the future.

For instance, you may ordinarily not be fascinated by the proper use of forks and knives but their mandatory use at an occasion of professional cadence might motivate your learning of such tradition. This is why even though it might seem obvious, NAN often revisits specific models in hopes of triggering your interest in (re)understanding them.

This model is no different.

The Rubber Band Model

This is a decision-making archetype that helps you to feel less guilty and more in control of one of two options when you settle for either of them. This model is very similar to weighing the pros and cons of a situation and deciding which one is best for you.

But as the authors Krogerus, M., & Tschäppeler, R. wrote, this model demands that you “copy put the rubber band model, and ask the person to ask themselves: what is holding me? what is pulling me?”

If you were, for instance, about to quit a high-paying job in favour of further studies, you might want to ask yourself what is holding you down from that decision and what is pulling you towards the new decision. Are you being held down by the fear of starting afresh, or are you being pulled by the opportunity that comes with a higher certification?

In figuring out what endears or entraps you, the decision becomes lighter to make.

A cyber security analyst, Navjot M., reently employed the model and wrote about his utlisation on LinkedIn thus:

“Below is an example of how I used ‘The Rubber Band Model’ to choose if I was staying in London or moving back to Australasia.

Summary:

• Above technique is most useful if you are having difficulties choosing between two options.

• In my case London option was holding me, however, at the end it came down to visa challenges hence I had to leave however, I was easily able to use the model to weigh my options.”

If like Mr Navjot, you do need to make decisions, you can practically decide what is keeping you and what is calling you.

TEA

Do you remember that thing about my friend for whom this episode is free? Yeah, well, it is his birthday and here is his Twitter. How about we all wish him a happy birthday?

He has been a good person, friend, and a meteor of guidance, clearing the debris of discombobulation to allow for the growth of new life and the spread of novel strength around him. He is a great guy. He should be reminded today, more than ever. Thank you.

In the last NAN, I talked about the release of a documentary I have been working on for a while. I am happy to inform you (in case you haven’t been chanced to see it yet) that the documentary is live and can be streamed here.

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Until the next NAN, be kind to yourself and the world around you; be patient with yourself and others; love yourself and the people around you; do not give up on things that matter to you unless giving up will provide you more peace and security.