I heard a podcast from Self-Improvement Daily that struck a chord.
The title of the episode was “Look Before You Jump”.
Before volunteering, leaving/taking a job, starting a hobby, and more.
The three points Brian made were:
- Be thoughtful about what you commit to because getting out is harder than getting in.
- Looking allows you to prepare for what’s to come and set yourself up for success.
- Still have the courage to jump.
My Perspective
I like this reframing compared to just jumping into something.
We’ve all been there when we are deep in a project that we don’t remember agreeing to.
Not every project or opportunity is a right fit.
Just because we are asked, shouldn’t mean an automatic “yes”.
We can take a minute, look (and think) before we jump.
This extra time can make a big difference that our future self will appreciate.
Your Turn
Have you ever said “yes” and then regretted it?
Would you have provided a different answer if you “looked” before jumping?
How can you remember to leverage this approach the next time an opportunity emerges?