Day 20: Pre-Decisions – Why Rules Beat Willpower Every Time
Outsmarting your future self by deciding before it counts.
THINGS TO CONSIDER
KEY INSIGHT: Pre-decisions are choices made during clarity that protect you during chaos. Unlike willpower (which depletes under stress), pre-decisions act as automatic circuit breakers – stopping poor choices before they start. They transform “What should I do?” into “What did I already decide to do?”
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Think of a recent decision you regret. What emotional state were you in? What pressures were you facing? How might a pre-decision made during a calm moment have changed the outcome?
TODAY’S EXERCISE: Consider the decisions that repeatedly drain your energy or lead to regret. Where do you find that you negotiate with yourself most often? What area of your life would benefit most from having a clear rule instead of relying on daily willpower?