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localId
6713608
label
How I Make Decisions
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doc
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document
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1
Source metadata
id
6713608
sourceUrl
contentType
document
title
How I Make Decisions
citationUrl
collections
Gerald R. Ford's Material from the Writing of "A Time to Heal"
Interviews and Subject Files
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Presidential personal matters
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1
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6713608
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1978-12-31
year
1978
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1977-01-01
year
1977
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1
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282f926bd9ad0356
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President Gerald R. Ford's handwritten reflections, 1977 or 1978
Scanned from the collection Gerald R. Ford: Materials from the writing of A Time
To Heal at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
While writing his autobiography, A Time to Heal (New York: Harper & Row, 1979), President
Gerald R. Ford composed a series of personal reflections on twenty-seven topics. What makes
these documents so unusual is not only their introspection but also their form. President Ford
recorded these observations by hand, writing in blue ball point on his favored yellow writing
tablets. He did not expend time and energy to polish and edit his writing, apparently planning to
do so when incorporating them into the book. Therefore occasional spelling or grammatical
errors or incomplete thoughts appear.
For each reflection the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library has scanned President Ford's
handwritten document and added a Library-produced transcription below to aid in reading the
reflection.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald R. Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
How 2 make decisions
7 make decreims in different ways Reginding
on The uncomotances. In those uncumstance involving
technical mattine where Annoledgeable d experience are
an immunable resourch 2 call upon them for options
each with an open give & tabe in a conference
in writing where pointle and then interrorate
setting. of atten such a meeting 2 normally nature
Import Int
for an opportunity for me to Analyze the written
background 2 select an option on propose a combination
options of the Young my own practical
of compremise.
In those instances which are mon technical
on are broad, practical problems 2 subjectively call
upon my lifetime experiences in dialing mith
people one problems. Such judgments not always
cme easily but 2 have learned to not procrestinate
and have faith in The ultimate guidance of the Lord.
How I Make Decisions
I make decisions in different ways depending on the circumstances. In those circumstances
involving technical matters where knowledgeable & experience are an invaluable resource I call
upon them for options in writing where possible and then interrogate each with an open give and
take in a conference setting. After such a meeting I normally retire for an opportunity for me to
analyze the written options & the dialogue. Using my own practical background I select an
option or propose a combination or compromise. [Unrecognized comment written in the left
margin]
In those instances which are non technical or are broad, practical problems I subjectively call
upon my lifetime experiences in dealing with people or problems. Such judgments not always
come easily, but I have learned to not procrastinate and have faith in the ultimate guidance of the
Lord.