How to make big decisions
The decisions we make have a profound effect on our lives.
Each decision kicks off a cascading set of consequences, not all of which are anticipated.
Here are a few examples of big decisions that have long-term effects:
Getting a pet
Buying a house
Having children
Building a restaurant
Here are a few ideas on how we can make better decisions:
Consider "who you'll become" when making the choice. Each decision creates a new version of yourself—a person who now walks the dog every morning, a parent who will always feel responsible for their child, a homeowner who's tied to a location, or a business owner who works evenings and weekends. Ask yourself, "Am I ready to become this person?" "Do I want to become this person?"
Look for evidence from others who've made similar choices. If you're considering starting a restaurant, spend lots of time with restaurant owners before making that decision. Ask them, "What's your quality of life like?" "Do you have any regrets?" Observe their lifestyle: Is this something you want? Before I started Transistor with Jon, I had worked for multiple SaaS companies and become friends with other founders. When I made my decision, it was because I'd observed my founder friends.
Try it on first. Before you buy clothes, you usually try them on first. We should do the same for the other big decisions in our lives! When considering a move to the Okanagan, we visited multiple times. Don't just imagine the highlight reel; experience it by trying it on first.
Ask: who else will this affect? Remember that most significant decisions aren't just about you. Major choices ripple through your relationships, especially with your spouse and kids. The best decisions account for everyone who will be impacted.
Give yourself permission to make imperfect choices. Life isn't about finding the "one perfect decision" – it's about making thoughtful choices and showing up every day to make them work. Sometimes, the path forward isn't clear until you start walking. However, make sure you also permit yourself to stop going down a given path if it's clear it's not working.
Remember: the big decisions you make now determine the kind of person you'll become in the future.