#VonWongDaily

A thought a day keeps my ideas from fading away.

Posts Tagged ‘Decision’

147- Rejection milestones

Today, my friend celebrated his first grant #rejection of 2021.

His celebration was neither ironic nor bittersweet but sincere and genuine. Not because Rejection was his desired outcome, but because he recognizes that Rejection is a milestone towards his long-term career #success . So much so that his goal for 2022 is to be rejected 100 times.

Aspiring to fail forward removes our ego from the #decision -making process. It gives us permission to participate in projects we believe we’re not worthy of while also increasing the potential for serendipity and opportunity.

Imagine how much more we could do with our lives if every Rejection were an opportunity for celebration, every failed attempt a badge of honor to show off to our friends, every piece of criticism a testimonial towards our #potential for progress.

It is more effective for us to seek a hundred failures than limit ourselves to a few guaranteed successes.

146- Consequential and Irreversible Decisions

I’ve always considered my decisive nature to be a strength.

My ability to quickly assess a situation, come up with possible courses of action, and commit to a #decision in moments of high pressure, has allowed me to thrive in project-based environments where time is scarce and perfect is the enemy of done.

But when it comes to consequential and #irreversible decisions, that same decisiveness can transform into a costly weakness.

Whether it’s signing a contract with an indecisive but wealthy client, hiring a person that is a poor culture fit, or committing to a long-term lease in a place I hadn’t bothered to visit – taking that extra time to slow down and sit with the uncertainty is the better move.

Before committing to a decision, check first if the decision is consequential and irreversible. If it is, make sure to take the time to think about it and keep a decision journal to improve your decision-making process.

–

PS. Currently hunting for a co-living space in Lisbon! If you have any thoughts, let me know!

122- Easiest vs Next-Easiest

A friend recently recommended a hotel to me.
It was a discounted rate in a good neighborhood at a reasonable price, and best of all, it required nothing more than a simple text message to reserve a spot.

#Time is money, recommendations in foreign countries are always welcome, so it felt like a steal.

Just in case, I did a quick search online. Rather than a room, we had a private compound with a rooftop, jacuzzi, kitchen, laundry, and living room for an even lower price. Within minutes we booked it.

The easy route can be tempting when making simple decisions, especially when time is scarce, but the next-easiest route can offer a far better deal at marginal effort.

#decision

120- The Valerie Effect

My friend Valerie has the power to materialize #joy out of thin air.

For the last two weeks, we’ve been co-living together. Every time she spots me from across the room, she lets out a cry of delight, runs towards me, and wraps me in a massive bear hug as if we were reconnecting for the first time in decades.

It’s one of my favorite moments of the day, and the best part is that the entire experience is manufactured.

We simply made the #decision one day to greet each other with unbridled enthusiasm.

It makes me wonder: What other triggers can we plant in our lives to self-generate the feelings we crave?