It's going to take you less than two minutes to read this. But it will improve your decisions forever.
I know, it’s a bold claim, but the advice is simple.
Whether you absorb the lessons or not is down to you.
Let’s begin.
Slow down
I told you it would be simple.
Pause. Take a breath and reflect.
Go for a walk. Take a toilet break. Step away from where you are.
Do whatever you need to do to give yourself the opportunity to slow down and think before you decide.
Don't worry, you can still make a quick decision.
A quick decision doesn’t mean making a spontaneous one.
Impulsive decisions come from a bygone era.
So slow down and give yourself time to think.
Think about the future
We tend to make decisions based on the situations we face now.
Thoughts about the future often come when the future comes. Then the gravity of an earlier choice becomes clear. But regret is a pain worth avoiding.
So, when you slow down, ask what happens next.
Then ask, what happens after that?
Every action has a consequence. In turn, those consequences will create new consequences.
Thoughts about those consequences can save a lot of pain and regret down the round.
So, make this a rule.
"Before every decision, I will slow down and think about the future."
Of course, there are many other tips I could suggest. These are the two I know will make the most difference in helping you improve your choices forever.