Before you pull the pin, before you damn the torpedoes, before you leap off the cliff, before you charge into battle, before you commit…
Think again.
- Do you understand the situation well enough to do what you are about to do?
- Are you reacting in anger, fear, or hurt?
- Do you really understand the consequences?
- Have you told the people who need to know what’s about to happen?
- Do you know what the costs will be?
- Has anyone else tried something like this before and been successful?
- Is this really going to get you want you need (as opposed to what you want?)
- Do you really know what you need at this moment (as opposed to what you want?)
- Is there a better way?
If you answer “no” to any of questions 1 – 8 and “yes” to question 9, maybe you’d better stop and think again.
It’s up to you, but if it were me, I’d feel better knowing that I’d thought these questions through.
Just a suggestion.
There is probably always a better way, but if you have covered 1-8 and the impulsive act is something that is positive, especially for someone else, then I say fo for it!
Indeed, that does make sense. My main concern is that sometimes we don't take a few moments for a sober second thought when we're driven by emotion. Maybe this list would help.
How did you know I was considering something bold and daring this morning?
Mine makes the checklist all right, thank goodness! Though 4 reminded me to do something. I answered “no” to 2, but that's okay.
Thanks for a great checklist!
Color me thrilled if you found this useful, Christine!
This is a great post Mark…I think I'll bookmark this.
Cool, thanks!
Great checklist, guys!
But… if you go through a checklist before acting impulsively AND you thoughtfully consider each point… your “impulsive action” it is no longer impulsive, You have thought it through and it becomes a deliberate action.