Pause before choosing an action · D9.2

Pause to consider the consequences of a reply

You are about to respond quickly to an ordinary message.

Everyday practice

Try these steps

1. Identify what the message actually asks.
2. Consider the likely immediate and later consequences of the reply you are preparing.
3. Choose to send, revise, ask a question, or wait for needed information.

An example

I check whether the request is urgent before promising to finish today.

Reflect

Did the pause reveal a consequence you had overlooked?

Next time

Use the choice point when relevant rather than treating it as brain-region activation.