Doubt to Certainty
M.E. Wasfi
Independently Published (2023)
ISBN: 979-8864139240
Reviewed by Dawn Colclasure for Reader Views (12/2024)
Have you ever wondered what goes into the decision-making process? What are good sources of information to use in making a decision? And how do we really know if the decision we are making is the right one? The answers to these questions and more are in this groundbreaking tome on decision-making, “Doubt to Certainty: A Practical Guide to Finding Confidence & Clarity in Making Complex Decisions” by M.E. Wasfi. This book provides some of the innermost details about how our brains work in decision-making as well as the different types of decisions we make. We probably never really gave much thought to how we reach a decision, or the different ways in which we make a decision, but this book spells it all out for readers to explore and think about in more detail.
Before I read this book, I never really thought too much about how we make decisions. I didn’t even know that there was a name for a type of method we use in making decisions. In this kind of situation, we don’t really stop to think about the process of making decisions. We just go through the process. It’s an inherent skill we all possess to some degree, and to discover that it’s actually an identified system of thought is really quite eye-opening.
One of the models used in decision-making is known as the IVIC Decision-Making Framework©. The author elaborates further on what this model represents and how it can be used to help people make decisions, but the IVIC stands for “Identity, Vision, Impact and Cost.” Basically, this model can be used when making personal decisions, and the “identity” and “vision” parts can come into play. With identity, it’s about who you are – the kind of person you are to make the kind of decisions that you do. And as far as vision is concerned the author states, on page 87,
You must familiarize yourself with who you are if you want to have the clarity and confidence to make complex decisions.
So, who you are, personally, can play a role in the decision you make. Knowing yourself well is one way to help you make what should be the right decision for you or for your loved ones. Sometimes, we struggle with whether the decision we make is the “right” decision to make. Knowing the kind of person you are can help make this process easier. As the author writes on page 89, he writes:
In essence, knowing yourself is the compass guiding you through life’s vast possibilities. It provides the criteria against which you can evaluate opportunities and challenges, ensuring that the life you build is a genuine reflection of your true self.
So, if you are struggling to figure out what the right decision is, then consider who you are, the kind of person you are, and the kind of values you want your choices in life to reflect about yourself.
Your values are just one element of who you are. There are other factors that the author does explore further. These factors are grouped together in a model which the author has called “The Authenticity Pyramid.” The elements basically consist of who a person is, and the author explores each one. This exploration, however, is not an in-depth psychoanalysis meant to provide personal insights for each person reading this part of the book. Mostly, it is further exploration of these key qualities that make up who a person is. There are also exercises at the back of the book, which the author does refer to specifically for each individual need.
If you have ever struggled with making decisions, then “Doubt to Certainty” by M.E. Wasfi is the book for you. From decision-making models to individual systems of self-awareness and knowledge, this book provides a thorough and detailed program on how to make decisions that work best for you. You’ll also learn how to make the right decisions, with the confidence to see these decisions through.