Choosing rather than accepting.
WHY IT HELPS
One output invites acceptance. Three invite comparison.
Comparison engages your judgement, which produces better decisions.
HOW TO ASK
"Give me three versions: one direct, one warmer, one more formal." "Five headline options, different in approach." "Two structures for this document, with the trade-offs."
FOR WRITING
Options at different lengths or registers.
FOR DECISIONS
"What are three approaches, and what does each trade off?"
HOW MANY
Three for most purposes. Ten for brainstorming, where quantity is the point.
WHAT TO DO WITH THEM
Pick one, or combine.
Frequently the best answer takes the structure of one and the tone of another.
THE FOLLOW-UP
"Take the second one and make it shorter."
WHAT THIS AVOIDS
Accepting the first thing produced because it is there.
THE COST
Almost nothing. Asking for three costs marginally more than asking for one.
