Remove the options you like least. Decision making by elimination.
1. Add your choices
Example: Job A, Job B, Job C
2. Start elimination
Up to three options appear. Click the one you like least.
3. Keep going
Always remove your least favorite option until only one remains.
Sometimes it's easier to know what you don't want than what you do want. The elimination method flips traditional decision-making on its head by asking you to remove your least favorite options rather than trying to pick your most favorite one.
This approach is particularly powerful when you're facing choice overload or when all options seem reasonable but you need to narrow things down. Instead of the pressure of choosing the 'best' option, you simply eliminate the worst at each step. It's a gentler cognitive load that often leads to surprising clarity about your true preferences.
Research shows that people are often better at identifying what they dislike than articulating what they love. The elimination method leverages this psychological tendency by making rejection the primary action rather than selection. Each elimination feels less consequential than a final choice, reducing decision anxiety.
The process creates a natural tournament-style progression where options compete for survival rather than victory. As weaker choices are removed, the remaining options get stronger by comparison. By the time you reach your final choice, it has 'earned' its position by outlasting everything else in your consideration set.
Your options are shuffled and presented in groups of three, preventing order bias from influencing your decisions. You never know which option will appear next, forcing you to evaluate each choice on its own merits rather than in relation to its position in your original list.
The randomization also adds an element of progressive revelation - you can't game the system by trying to eliminate "strategically." This keeps your choices honest and based on genuine preference rather than tactical thinking about what might appear later.
Elimination focuses on rejection rather than ranking, which uses different mental processes. It's often easier to say I definitely don't want this than I want this more than that. The method also introduces randomness and doesn't require you to rank everything upfront.
That moment of regret is valuable feedback about your preferences! You can always start over with the same options, and now you have clearer insight into what you actually value.
The elimination method works well with 4+ options. With fewer options, a simple comparison might be easier. With many options, the process can become lengthy but is very effective for gradually narrowing down large choice sets.
You are always shown three options - consider well which one you like least. Early on, this tends to be easier, and the worst option may immediately jump out at you. The process gets more difficult in later rounds, so take your time if the decision is important to you.
The final result isn't necessarily your perfect choice - it's the option that survived your elimination criteria. Use your reaction to the winner as additional data. If you're disappointed, it might mean none of your options were ideal to begin with, and the survivor is simply the least problematic rather than actively desirable.