The Decisions You Make Matters

I am always surprised when people make decisions without fully understanding how those decisions will impact them. They can often see the short-term but struggle to realize the long-term, systematic impacts.

They may build themselves up all weekend to tell their boss off on Monday morning for something they dislike. Or they refuse to help a friend because they don’t feel like it. Or they get a new lease for a car they can’t afford.

We all do it from time to time, but we need to realize how disruptive this could become. We don’t need to overanalyze every choice, but we need to understand the downstream ramifications of our actions.

Maybe instead of telling off your boss, you can have a professional conversation asking them why they made the choice they did and let them know that you respectfully disagree.

Maybe you help a friend knowing that they are always there for you and you will certainly need to lean on them at some point in the future.

Maybe you get a cheaper vehicle until you can save up a bit more and get a lease that fits better in your budget.

It takes discipline but we also have to take responsibility. Many struggle to own up to their decisions, instead finding someone else to blame when things go awry.

Nobody is perfect but we all get the opportunity to make choices. Those choices can help us improve our future or degrade our future. They can involve significant risk. They can leave limited payoff. But we need to better own up to our decisions and strategize for the long term. Doing this will begin to establish the right discipline and mindset to propel you forward instead of dragging you backwards.