icon-email icon-facebook icon-linkedin icon-print icon-rss icon-search icon-stumbleupon icon-twitter icon-arrow-right icon-email icon-facebook icon-linkedin icon-print icon-rss icon-search icon-stumbleupon icon-twitter icon-arrow-right icon-user Skip to content
Senior Correspondent

Sometimes you don’t know what you want until you make a choice. You’re driving down the road and realize you aren’t comfortable.

Choices expose what we really want.

Maybe you feel trapped because you already decided. How can we make the rubber hit the road without creating a binding decision?

Make nonbinding decisions.

Public decisions are harder to change than private. Keeping decisions private allows space for change.

When you have an important decision to make, make it with a small group of trusted leaders. Say, “This is what we’re going to do.” But, keep it private. Give everyone a night to sleep on it. Come together the next day to finalize things. Determine if the decision is a keeper. If it’s a keeper, put the car in gear and start driving.

Understand second-guessing.

Second-guessing paralyzes.

Second-guessing shouldn’t suggest you made a wrong choice. If you’re a second-guesser, it doesn’t matter what choice you make, you’ll second-guess.

Second-guessing always takes the opposite position. When you choose A over B, you’ll wonder about B. If you choose B, you’ll wonder about A.

There’s nothing virtuous or noble about the ability to second-guess. Make a good choice and keep driving forward unless circumstances change or new information emerges that calls for changing direction.

Tip: If you can’t change direction, you’ll never enjoy sustained success.

Stay Up to Date

Sign up for articles by Dan Rockwell and other Senior Correspondents.

Latest Stories

Choosing Senior Living
Love Old Journalists

Our Mission

To amplify the voices of older adults for the good of society

Learn More