Decision Filters: Simple Questions for Better Choices

The Questions to Ask:

• How will I feel about this decision in 10 minutes?
• How will I feel about this decision in 10 months?
• How will I feel about this decision in 10 years?

What it's good for:

Overcoming short-term emotional reactions. It forces you to take a long-term perspective and separates temporary feelings from long-term consequences.

Example:

You get a job offer with a higher salary but in a field you're not passionate about. In 10 minutes, you'd feel great about the extra money. In 10 months, you might feel bored and unfulfilled. In 10 years, you might regret not pursuing your passion. This filter reveals the long-term trade-off.

Popularized by Jeff Bezos when he decided to start Amazon.

The Question to Ask:

"When I'm 80 years old, which path will I regret less: the path of doing this, or the path of not doing this?"

What it's good for:

Making big, life-altering decisions, especially those involving taking a calculated risk. It prioritizes action over inaction and focuses on avoiding the pain of wondering "what if?"

Example:

Deciding whether to leave a stable job to start a business. You will likely not regret trying and failing, but you will almost certainly regret never trying at all.

Coined by Derek Sivers, this is a filter for your time and commitments.

The Question to Ask:

"When considering a new opportunity or commitment, is my immediate reaction 'HELL YEAH!'?"

What it's good for:

Preventing you from over-committing to things you're only lukewarm about. It protects your time and energy for the few things that truly excite you.

Example:

You're asked to join a new project at work. If your gut reaction isn't an enthusiastic "Hell yeah!", you should politely decline. This leaves you available for an opportunity that *does* excite you.

A filter for making decisions without being influenced by social pressure or the opinions of others.

The Question to Ask:

"Imagine you are alone in an empty office, with no one to impress and no one to judge you. In that scenario, what decision would you make?"

What it's good for:

Separating your own desires from the desire for external validation. It helps you make choices that are authentic to you, not the ones you think you're *supposed* to make.

Example:

You are considering buying a luxury car. The Empty Office test forces you to ask if you truly want the car for its engineering and driving experience, or if you primarily want it so other people will be impressed.