Ever agonized over a decision? Delayed making a choice?
Pre-decide.
Last winter was a brutal one in this part of Ohio. This year I’ve taken up walking outside as a regular practice. Last month I pre-decided what criteria I would use to determine whether or not I would walk outside. If the raw or wind chill temperature was below zero degrees (Fahrenheit), I would not venture outside.
I pre-decided. This way my decision (to walk or not to walk) is not determined by my morning sleepy state or my lack of motivation or any number of factors. It gives me a benchmark. It also saves me from agonizing over the same decision again and again.
What are you pre-deciding? Here’s a list to begin with:
1. Never check email before 11 am.
2. Never make important decisions when angry, tired or afraid (lizard brain).
3. Never respond to incendiary email messages for 24 hours (minimum). Nuclear messages wait 48 hours.
4. Walk 1.5 miles every day (subject to the below zero rule above).
5. Do creative work first thing in the day.
What’s your list? What will you pre-decide today?