This Calculation Will Help You Navigate Any Sticky Situation

Calculating the sh*t-to-gain ratio has proven to be one of the most useful frameworks in my life. It's a way to discern your next move--the one that gives you the most value, for the least pain, while maintaining the possibility for things to improve in the future.

Here's how it works:

• Sticky situation presents itself
• You resist the urge to impulsively respond
• Instead, you list what your ultimate goal is with the situation
• Brainstorm all the ways you could handle it
• List the positive and negative outcomes each option, using both paranoid and optimistic lenses
• Cross out the ones that are least likely, for whatever reason
• Determine which options create the least pain for the best result
• Put a star next to the ones that preserve a path forward, because it's good practice to hold space for that possibility

At that point the best option is usually apparent.

The sh*t-to-gain ratio will keep you focused when emotions run high.

Let's run it through a real-life scenario:

You get a rudely worded request that attacks your ego. Your instinct to defend yourself and set that person straight kicks in.

Then you pause. You resist that urge because it's not the goal.

If you were to give in to the initial instinct, you would be creating more sh*t and upsetting the whole ratio.

The goal is actually to:

1. Find a way to move this person or problem along
2. Preserve your dignity and professionalism

Life presents daily opportunities to determine this ratio. You'll be able to discern situations more easily and quickly as this approach becomes second nature, like knowing when to stop engaging in that text exchange.

And when you find yourself shaking your head at how people behave, whether you're standing in line, listening to a friend's story about a family dynamic, or watching the news, you'll realize how many times that people who could really benefit from this calculation, haven't made it.?