Sidewalks

Part way through my junior year, I was invited to not return to band. So, I had to meet with the school counselor to select new electives to replace band. I signed up for an architecture class out of necessity, but it became a favorite.

My teacher shared a story about a university designing its campus. When it came time to decide where to place the sidewalks, one contributor said, “Let’s open the school without the sidewalks poured. Later, we can see where the paths are worn in the grass to know where the sidewalks should be.”

Sometimes, I want to decide too quickly, I charge ahead without enough research. Sometimes, I drown myself in research and struggle to decide. If the decision has little to no consequence—I can decide now and adjust later. If I will need to break up concrete and re-pave, then I should put off deciding as long as reasonably possible. If I want people to walk on the sidewalks, I should put them where people are walking.

James Clear suggested that there are three types of decisions: hats, haircuts, and tattoos. If I don’t like the hat, take it off. Medium-impact decisions are haircuts. I can try something new. If it isn’t great, the hair grows back, and I can try something different. Big decisions, tattoo decisions, are a little more permanent. These are the situations where I should really do my homework.

Is this a hat, haircut, or tattoo decision? Am I delaying starting because I don’t have all the answers yet? What decisions can be resolved along the way?

Be curious, be kind, be whole, do good things.