This maps almost exactly to how I coach players who won't commit to a shot at the net. They see two options, third shot drop or drive, and they freeze because they're trying to guarantee the outcome instead of just picking based on whether they can live with the miss. The 3-second rule is basically what I tell students about a dink decision. If you're still thinking about it, you've already lost the point.
Charles, curious if you've ever applied this to something physical, like sports or fitness, where the "failure" is more immediate than a business decision.
This is a very interesting article. The concept that comes to mind after reading it is amor fati. Let's make mistakes, because only they give us real value. Taking action has no downside. Maybe we lose our nerves, maybe we lose money on an investment, maybe we lose friends, but in the long run we gain the lesson that comes from our mistakes. By not repeating them, we gain something that stays with us for life. We must experience small, medium, and even major failures, because they are what shape our growth, not academic studies or tens of thousands of dollars spent on education. What mistakes can you make there? What mistakes can you make that are different from your peers so that you can discover the value you'll one day be able to offer others and earn a living from?
That's exactly it. These failures are the ones we should aim for because they build us into something even better for the future. If an action makes us better regardless of if we win or lose, we should do it all the time.
I'm slowly building Daily Doctrine into a publication exploring the psychology behind discipline, attention, avoidance, and the quiet patterns that shape our lives.
My latest essay asks a simple question: What if the quality of your life is determined by the quality of your attention?
If you have a few minutes, I'd genuinely love to hear what stayed with you after reading it.
And if the writing resonates with you, I'd be grateful if you'd consider subscribing.
I'd also love to discover more thoughtful writers, so feel free to share your latest piece below.
This maps almost exactly to how I coach players who won't commit to a shot at the net. They see two options, third shot drop or drive, and they freeze because they're trying to guarantee the outcome instead of just picking based on whether they can live with the miss. The 3-second rule is basically what I tell students about a dink decision. If you're still thinking about it, you've already lost the point.
Charles, curious if you've ever applied this to something physical, like sports or fitness, where the "failure" is more immediate than a business decision.
I have yes. While I do not play pickleball, I often try to make a move as fast as possible in other sports.
This is a very interesting article. The concept that comes to mind after reading it is amor fati. Let's make mistakes, because only they give us real value. Taking action has no downside. Maybe we lose our nerves, maybe we lose money on an investment, maybe we lose friends, but in the long run we gain the lesson that comes from our mistakes. By not repeating them, we gain something that stays with us for life. We must experience small, medium, and even major failures, because they are what shape our growth, not academic studies or tens of thousands of dollars spent on education. What mistakes can you make there? What mistakes can you make that are different from your peers so that you can discover the value you'll one day be able to offer others and earn a living from?
That's exactly it. These failures are the ones we should aim for because they build us into something even better for the future. If an action makes us better regardless of if we win or lose, we should do it all the time.
Awesome advice! Thank you so much! The 3 second rule is gold for me! Love that!
Glad you enjoyed it!
This is a useful framework.
A lot of overthinking comes from trying to find a risk-free version of the decision.
But that version usually does not exist.
The better filter is simpler:
Can I survive the downside?
Will the downside teach me something useful?
If it works, does it move me forward in a meaningful way?
That removes a lot of noise.
Not every risk needs to be life-changing.
But if the loss is recoverable and the upside creates progress, waiting for perfect certainty may be the bigger risk.
After reading the decision making process I fill like I have or have not been using them. So now I will be using them for pratice.
Hello, Charles and fellow substackers 👋
I'm slowly building Daily Doctrine into a publication exploring the psychology behind discipline, attention, avoidance, and the quiet patterns that shape our lives.
My latest essay asks a simple question: What if the quality of your life is determined by the quality of your attention?
If you have a few minutes, I'd genuinely love to hear what stayed with you after reading it.
And if the writing resonates with you, I'd be grateful if you'd consider subscribing.
I'd also love to discover more thoughtful writers, so feel free to share your latest piece below.
https://dailydoctrine.substack.com/p/i-didnt-realize-my-attention-was?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=7v9gtg
Have a wonderful day 💖
~DAILY DOCTRINE