In a world that pressures us to act fast, sometimes the wisest course is a pause. Before you charge in, consider the power of not deciding—yet.
Sometimes the best decision to make is not to make a decision. I think this is especially true when we are trying to decide whether or not to interact with someone and we know our interaction will potentially create a stressful situation. The first question to ask ourselves is, “Is this something that I need to do now? if it’s not, delay the conversation you intended to have. Our emotions frequently get in the way. When our emotions get in the way, we can sometimes charge into a conversation with a full head of steam and later regret what occurred. Sometimes these issues, resolve themselves. I found that to be the case many times. Not all decisions have to be made the instant we think they have to be made. Not all issues need to be confronted the instant we think they need to be confronted. Wherever it possible, take the time to let emotion cool down, rational thought to take precedence, and creative energy focused on constructive ways to work through the issue.
💡 Points to Ponder:
- What conversation are you dreading that might benefit from waiting?
- Could the issue you’re worried about resolve on its own with time?
- How might a cooler head and a creative spirit lead to a better outcome than immediate confrontation?