Comments on: Rethinking Your Rules

By: Tizzle

Tizzle — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 19:37:21 +0000

I am surprised so few people have a reason for these decisions. I buy the salsa that tastes best, or sometimes costs least. I choose it because I’ve tried the others. I realize that’s an illustrative example, but to further it, my question is – don’t many or most people do this? I have a reason for nearly everything I buy.

I also disagree with your statement “The best idea…” but I’d be willing to read studies showing this is true. I do think it might be true in the context of self-examination, but not more broadly.

By: Jim

Jim — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 13:12:30 +0000

“The best idea rarely comes from those first few ideas you’d come up with in the moment.”

Trent,
This is a wide open statement with nothing to back it up. I realize much of this subject can’t be empirical, but geez!
I think Malcolm Gladwell would disagree with you, as well. See Blink.

By: Debbie M

Debbie M — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 14:02:45 +0000

I think people would mostly do this when they start to feel that something they’re doing isn’t working for them. Instead of just letting this vague feeling sit, take the opportunity to re-think how you’re making decisions.

I think everyone does this when they find they aren’t liking their job as much as they used to, or their boyfriend or girlfriend. Sometimes when you’re tired of living paycheck to paycheck it’s good to look over your spending decisions.

So, I think with the salsa, I’d only do it if I often found myself opening that jar of salsa with anticipation only to find myself disappointed with the aroma or flavor or something.

When you find yourself unexpectedly disappointed, that’s a good time to turn to this strategy.

By: lurker carl

lurker carl — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 02:02:52 +0000

After reading this article, I don’t think Trent understands that lack of experience isn’t the same as immaturity.

By: Steven

Steven — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 01:06:16 +0000

I thought this article would take a different direction, but nevertheless…yes, we all have choices. And when I think about the choices I have in life, I know that I could be sitting on a tropical beach halfway around the world. I could be living in Colorado (I love climbing mountains, hiking, and rock climbing.) I could be homeless. It’s really a matter of making the choices to create my reality…within the limitations of the society and law, of course.

By: valleycat1

valleycat1 — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 00:01:38 +0000

“The best idea rarely comes from those first few ideas you’d come up with in the moment.”

Totally disagree – at least for those of us who have been around a long time with a lifetime of experience to draw from. Often the first ideas are those that are informed by experience & pop up before we have a time to second-guess or screen out based on our established preferences.

By: chuck

chuck — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 21:51:34 +0000

do you have a better example then salsa? i’m not too worried if i buy the wrong salsa.

By: kc

kc — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 21:45:41 +0000

Agonizing over life’s small – indeed, tiny – decisions (which jar of salsa to purchase, for instance) is a great way of making something that shouldn’t be stressful, very stressful.

Buy the brand you enjoy and get on with life. Life’s big decisions merit careful consideration – not what kind of salsa you want to buy.

If your “new set of rules” require an hour to figure out what kind of soap, or jelly, or salsa you ought to buy, you need to reconsider your rules.