↗️ A simple way to remember when NOT to make decisions

I am sure you have to make many small and big decisions throughout a typical week. However, there are certain times when we should absolutely not make any decisions.

Here's a simple mnemonic to remember when:

🛑 HALT! 🛑

(HALT is German for "STOP.")

It stands for:

H = Hungry

An empty stomach can cause you to buy much more at the supermarket. More generally, when in a state of strong desire for something, we are easily influenced (and manipulated, or even conned).

A = Angry

Emails written in anger are rarely the best. Cool down, step away from the emotional edge, then edit or just leave it. Once cooled down, most people are surprised by what they wrote while angry.

L = Lonely

People will do a lot for company. Con artists know this. While hunger is a physical desire, loneliness relates to an emotional one.

T = Tired

Tiredness amplifies our negative extremes. Autopilot and biases rule us more easily, as this saves mental energy. Your body and mind are in survival mode.

I have also found that, aside from anger, any extreme emotional state can sway our decision-making. This means that even in extreme happiness, it may be a good idea to hold off on making an important financial decision.

So here are a few tips and steps:

Observe, endure, or enjoy the extreme emotion while you are in it, but do not allow yourself to make a significant decision while you are still in that state. Wait until your prefrontal cortex is back in control.

Delay decisions by default. The more significant the decision, the longer we should wait. For example, wait one hour before sending an angry email, and one day before buying a costly gadget.

The rule: For anything significant, sleep on it! Con artists hate that tip!

The good news is that emotional self-awareness and self-regulation can be learned and mastered. If you're curious to learn how to apply this as a leader and as part of coaching others, let me know! Maintaining such presence is a core skill of a coach-like leader.