Welcome Back to the Happy Class – the previous post is here in case you missed it. https://www.discoverwalks.com/blog/columnist/jay-knight/the-happy-class-lets-get-started/

Making decisions can be one of the hardest things humans do. They fret. They worry. And they make themselves unhappy all during the process – and even afterward by second-guessing their decisions.

I break decision-making into two discussions. First is when to think. Sounds like you should always think when making decisions, but that is what causes most of the wasted happiness.

There are three types of decisions–

  • large important decisions,
  • small repetitive decisions,
  • and everything else.

(Yes, that last bucket is huge, but you will see it really makes decisions much easier.)

Big decisions are worth spending some time thinking about. (Much more about these below.)

Small repetitive decisions are also worth figuring out a good answer to, like finding the quickest way to work and back, since it happens a couple of hundred times a year.

That leaves all other decisions.

Since they are neither big nor repetitive, they should not cause you much concern or thinking time. Just pick one choice quickly and move on. What movie to watch, what to order in a restaurant, what shoes to buy. You should be able to get down to two, three, or four choices pretty easily — then just pick one – and spend your time on something more enjoyable than decision-making.

This philosophy makes most decisions unthreatening, like which lane of the freeway to be in… Really, I have watched people get frustrated, put themselves and others in danger, just trying to get a better lane, which in and of itself, often slows down around the next curve. And even if it does save two minutes, is the stress, high blood pressure, danger, etc., really worth it? Better to focus on the things that really matter.

One more thing on those quick decisions, if they turn out ‘not so good’, don’t second guess yourself. Just remember that at least you didn’t waste a lot of time and emotion making the decision.

This is our Pug, Q, making a decision where to head next. Obviously, she made it pretty fast… she doesn’t read. :)

Now that we have taken care of the easy ones, let’s look at how to make big one-time decisions.

I call my method of making these ‘the box.’ Let’s say you are wondering if you should quit your job and move to a new city. Or buy the super expensive new car. Just picture yourself in a box with high walls on all sides, but open at the top. The box is, of course, your current situation. 

Now figure out all the ‘costs’ of getting out of the box. And there are always ‘costs’, like having to give up friends, job security, or the good things about your current location. Take your time thinking of the costs, and get them all in your mind. Make a list if there are too many to focus on at one time.

Then imagine yourself out of the box. What will it feel like, what will you be doing? No ‘rose-colored glasses’, just a realistic assessment.

Now compare the costs to what it’s like being out of the box. Is there an obvious winner? If the winner is change, make the change. But just as important is if the winner is no change. Then stop thinking about it. You have examined the choices and are making the right decision. Of course, later new facts may arise and create a different equation. Then, you can do the process again.

I find it very helpful in not dwelling on all the things in my life that may not be perfect right now. But when I examine an issue with ‘the box’, I often see that ‘no change’ is the clear winner. With that, I get on with my life, happier that I thought the issue through.

Planning a trip to Paris ? Get ready !


These are Amazon’s best-selling travel products that you may need for coming to Paris.

Bookstore

  1. The best travel book : Rick Steves – Paris 2023 – Learn more here
  2. Fodor’s Paris 2024 – Learn more here

Travel Gear

  1. Venture Pal Lightweight Backpack – Learn more here
  2. Samsonite Winfield 2 28″ Luggage – Learn more here
  3. Swig Savvy’s Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottle – Learn more here

Check Amazon’s best-seller list for the most popular travel accessories. We sometimes read this list just to find out what new travel products people are buying.