Decisions, decisions! They can be difficult any time, but is there a best time to make them?
I just read a long article in the newsletter of the Urban Monk, and the research-supported bottom line is:
- The morning, when your energy level is highest, is the best time to make a decision.
- Your energy depletes over the course of the day.
- If you need to renew energy, take in some glucose--ideally in the form of fresh fruit rather than candy.
He points out that the makers of infomercials can attribute a lot of their success to the fact that people's decision-making tends to be worse at the end of the day, and probably terrible at 2am (bartenders can attest to this, too...).
THE ZOMBIE EXCEPTION
That all sounds logical, but for me, the most appealing decision first thing in the morning is to go back to sleep. I think some of us need adequate time (and in some cases, caffeine) before we're in prime decision-making mode.
THE DRUNK / SOBER EQUATION
According to Herodotus, the ancient Persians came up with a decision while drunk, then considered it again while sober. If the decision was the same both times, they implemented it; if not, they put the matter aside.
Obviously, even though it seemed to work for the ancient Persians, if handling alcohol is an issue for you, don't try this method!
My version of this is to hold off on acting on decisions I make late at night (not usually drunk!) and reconsider them in the morning.
If the two are the same, then full speed ahead.
If they're different, I'll check again in the early afternoon--that one's often a good balance of the totally rational and the emotional. Although the coldly rational decision may seem ideal, some aspects of life aren't just about logic.
Recently I used that method to decide whether or not to quit a project that I felt was heading in the wrong direction. Both my late night and early morning selves thought it was a good idea, and I sent the notice the next afternoon. So far, no regrets!
