Compare and synthesize the “good” lists to make informed decisions

“Good” lists can often be confusing and often contradictory. What to wear, what to eat, how to exercise, what cooking oil to use, which vitamins to take … It seems you can pretty much find a list for everything. And they are not always consistent. How do you decide what is in your best interest?

First, do the research. Check with experts (e.g., teachers, doctors, trainers, professionals, etc.) and read publications (e.g., books, websites, magazines, etc.) to gather information. Then compare data to determine the consensus. To illustrate my process for making choices, I will use walking.

Like blueberries in your diet, walking is on every best list for exercise. Now look at the ways you can incorporate it into your daily life.

I usually begin with: “I am not so physically fit that …”

1. I can’t walk to the library.
2. I shouldn’t walk to the dry cleaner.
3. Extra steps walking to the pool wouldn’t be a good idea.
4. Parking far away from the door at the local retailer wouldn’t be a good choice.
5. All of the above and more.

For me, the correct answer is E. I try to walk to as many places as I can as time permits, and can typically log a few miles a day doing it. While going to the track to walk is awesome, it isn’t always an option and certainly not the only way to get your daily steps in.

Here’s a favorite of mine:  How do you determine what news to follow?

I usually start with the Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. Both on the top 10 list for circulation, with different editorial views. Sometimes you find research on your topic. Following is a helpful one:  

Social Media and News Fact Sheet, 2024 | Pew Research Center

Ask yourself:  Are they reporting the same facts?

Now consider reinforcing and checking the data with some other publications like:

• NPR
• USA Today
• Local news

Think about the following:

• Are the sources credible?
• Is there a “hidden” agenda?
• Do the facts align with other publications?  
• Does the news outlet have a good track record (i.e., has what they reported in the past actually proven to be accurate?”

Based on all the data collected, you can now decide what you believe the evidence suggests.

Don’t get overwhelmed with pundits and influencers trying to make up your mind for you. Collect data from different viewpoints and then make your own informed decisions.