Why I make one-second decisions

I get up at 5 in the morning, and I love it. But truthfully, it’s not always easy, and there are days where I don’t feel like getting up so early, days where I just want to close my eyes and lie there for a while longer. It’s in those moments, where the split-second decision makes all the difference.

I think to myself, get up, and I have one second to comply. No chance for thinking, just action, and I get up.

In our life, we all face these small challenges, that we then wrestle with, debating on what path to choose. The problem is that willpower, decision-making, and self-control, are all finite resources, and while we can increase them, the actions we take or don’t take will drain our daily supply.

So when building a business, and living the good life, is it in our best interest to worry about what clothes to wear, or whether or not to hit the snooze button?

For me, it isn’t, and if you look at several hyper-successful individuals like Zuckerberg, Bezos, and Jobs, they constantly wear the same thing. Why? Because it’s simple, and it doesn’t require thinking, and they can focus on the more important things.

The one-second decision is freedom, it’s the ability to not let meaningless debates take place in your head, and a chance to do more of what matters.

Here are the four actionable steps to make one-second decisions

1. Practice a form of breathwork

I love the box breathing method, used by Navy Seals, it’s a popular method that involves a 4-second inhale, hold, exhale, hold, and you repeat this cycle. This helps slow down your breathing, and your heart rate, and tends to regulate your body better, helping you to remain calm and lower your levels of cortisol (stress hormone).

2. Count to 1 in your head in every situation of hesitation

Make it real, and count to one every time you find yourself in a situation of hesitation. Building the habit creates a system that makes it much easier to get into the practice of that one-second decision-making process.

3. Consider the consequences of overthinking

There is great benefit to making that one-second decision, but ignore the benefits for a moment, and think about the consequences of overthinking. The price you pay when you overthink is peace of mind, time, energy, and attention. Is that something you can continue to pay forever?

4. Find ways to create more stillness in your life

Whether it’s taking a walk in nature, or spending time doing a relaxing activity like fishing, find ways to create peace and stillness in your life. Get away from chatter, clutter, and chaos, and move towards tranquility, peace, and order.