Recently, I was contemplating about the decisions we make each day that affects how we spend our time and live our lives — may it be for the short term; like for the week or month, or the long term.
In essence, we're only bound with two options in making a decision; a yes or a no. And as simple as it sound, decision-making is the most challenging thing to do knowing there will always be consequences for the choices we stick into. And there will be no simple answer as we don't know what the future will be like after we've made up our mind.
To fully understand the value of a yes, or a no, we have to understand the components of decision-making.
[1] We find ourselves in a situation to make decisions when we're planning something in the future. So planning is therefore a projection as to what could happen beyond the moment — may it be in the next 5mins, the next day, or the next couple of months. The longer timeline (ie. 5year period) we try to plan, the more complex our action-plans become.
[2] We find ourselves in a situation to make decisions when we're thinking of people other than ourselves. So considering others is therefore an assumption that people will somehow be in misery without you being involved in their lives. The more individuals we consider, the more complex our action-plans become.
[3] We find ourselves in a situation to make decisions when we're embracing certain advantage (ie. authority, fame, power, possessions) amongst a group of people. So embracing advantages is therefore an entitlement that you're the one responsible to have the last say.
... so the value of a yes or a no will depend on your projections, assumptions, and level of entitlement.
But remember, a YES is a commitment you have to stand unto in the future. And a yes is cheaper these days due to all the technological advancements — and that's why it easily gets accumulated and piled-up (where most future commitments fall into the cracks of forgetfulness, procrastination, or de-prioritization).
While a NO is a symbol of courage you have to show the moment you say it. And it's very expensive as you won't know how people will take your "no" for an answer.
... so the value of a yes or a no will depend on your dedication to a commitment and the amount of courage you have to stick to your gut. Though one thing is certain — at the end of the day, we're making decisions left-and-right.
