Decision Journal

A decision journal is a log of important career decisions: context, options, advice received, what you chose, expected outcome, and later results. It turns advisory conversations into learning loops instead of forgotten meetings.

Entries can be brief — dated paragraph plus bullets. Review quarterly with your board lens: Which advisors were right? Where did I ignore Challengers? What patterns repeat?

Journals improve calibration. You stop pretending every bet was rational in hindsight. Share relevant entries with mentors to respect their time — they see you've incorporated prior guidance. Many founders use decision journals; the practice works equally well for career pivots and promotion choices.