27 Mar 2022
An often-overlooked factor to consider when making decisions
The factor I want to talk about today is time. Think about the decisions you made recently whether they be for work or personal. How often did you consider the question, "How will I feel about this decision over time? In an hour, in a day, in a week, in a month, in a year, in decades?" Part of what you want to consider here is, how easily can the decision be undone in the future if needed.
Let's take a simple example that many of you can relate to like making a decision to eat that extra scoop of ice cream for dessert or while on vacation. Sure, in the moment I want to tell myself, ah, you're on vacation enjoy yourself. But then, before I buy the double scoop vs the single scoop, do I consider, how will I feel about this in an hour, in a day, in a week, etc. How many times have said just minutes after eating something, Oh, I probably shouldn't have eaten that? So next time, consider the question, "How will I feel about this decision later". Remember I talked about part of your time consideration is, how easily can the decision be undone. Once I eat that extra scoop of ice cream, I can't uneat it. I'd have to work out extra harder and longer, and let's face it, that's not going to happen.
The next example I think many people can also relate to. It happened last week while on vacation. We were taking a horseback riding excursion to a waterfall. My wife and most of my friends decided to go swimming in the pool by the waterfall. As I stepped into the water it was freezing cold. By this time, my wife and friends were all waist deep or completely immersed and swimming in the water and having a great time. I stood on the banks telling myself it's too cold, it's too cold. Then I though... How would I feel about this decision to not join my wife and friends and take a plunge in this once in a lifetime opportunity? I realized that the minute we got back on the horses and began to ride back, I'd regret not taking the plunge. So, I did, and I am glad I did. Coming back to how easily this decision could be undone... it's highly unlikely that I would ever come back to this same spot with these same friends ever so this was literally a once in a lifetime opportunity that could not be undone.
This last example comes from what I've been seeing on the Supreme Court confirmation hearings of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. Stay with me on this, I won't get political, but just share what I observed happening in the hearings. As expected, both sides were polarized and partisan. Once side appeared very much against her nomination, while the other side seem to embrace it fully. As you may know, Supreme Court Justice appointments are "for life" or as long as the Justice desires, so once made, effectively, this decision cannot be undone. But let's talk about what is driving both sides to be so divided. It's clearly what each member believes to be their values in parenthesis (at the time of the hearing). So while the appointment can't be undone, someone's values can change over time. Speaking from experience, I'll tell you that 30 years ago, I was very extreme in my political views. Today, I am much more centered and moderate. If I were in a position to confirm a supreme court justice based on what I valued 30 years ago, I don’t think I'd vote the same way today.
So, as you go through life and are making dozens is not hundreds of decisions a day, you may not need to consider the question "How will I feel about this later", but pause for the once that are impactful to you and the others around you, and especially for the ones that are difficult or impossible to undo.
