When you have an important decision to make or things are just not going right, it pays to take some time to ponder the situation.
An off schedule post
This is an off-schedule post. That means something different or interesting is going on that warrants paying attention to. So, my friends, read on to find out more!
Introduction
A number of years ago, I discovered the word ponder. It’s a bit of a funny word, but oh so important. If you’ve never pondered before, or simply never taken the time to, I’m going to tell you why it’s to your benefit to do so.
What does it mean to ponder?
When I think of the word ponder, at first it seems like a slang term, perhaps improper English. In fact, the term has an interesting history originating with the Latin word pondus, which means to weigh. Used in Latin verb form, the word ponderare means to weigh carefully. Over time, it evolved into the old French word ponderer and the Middle English word ponderen.
Ponder really means to think about something deeply and carefully for an extended period of time and implies thoughtful reflection rather than quick, spontaneous thinking. Similar words and phrases you may know and use include reflect, contemplate, consider, meditate on, or mull over. Have you ever heard someone say, “I want to sleep on it?” If so, then you have the idea.
In my life, when I ponder something, I intentionally stop and take some time before deciding. To consider what I’m doing and the pros and cons of any decision I may make about the current situation. We live in a very fast-paced world with a lot going on, where multitasking is the norm, even a virtue. When things are moving fast, we are not always able to make the best decision.
Of course, there are times when we need to make snap decisions. Military members, police officers, firefighters, first responders, medical professionals, and others who encounter danger or must make time-critical decisions must make the best decision with the information available at the moment. This information is often incomplete, but in most of these cases, a decision and action are required.
The urge of the immediate
Our brains are hardwired to seek immediate comfort or to avoid discomfort. As in, right now. We demand immediate gratification. Our brain demands that quick dopamine hit of satisfaction. Think social media scrolling or eating junk food. If we are in a business setting, everyone wants immediate answers so they can check the box and move on to the next thing, which is one of the things causing our phones to go off constantly. We’ll take care of that issue so we can move on to the next. All. Day. Long.
One of the problems with this endless cycle is that, just perhaps, a better solution awaits if we give it enough time to show itself. If we will just slow down. Sometimes, the best thing to do at the moment is nothing. It’s amazing how many problems solve themselves, or even were never problems at all, if we just give them a little bit of time. Even in the Bible, we are told, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself” (Matthew 6:34).
There is another twist to this term of the urge of the immediate. It’s urgent versus important. In both cases, the typical reaction is to take charge of the situation and not let others drive your decision-making. I would argue that, often and if possible, defer the decision until you can ponder it. Stop for a moment and ponder to see if you agree (pun intended…).
I might mention that if you have children, they may often, continuously, it seems, ask you to solve a problem for them. Ponder (Ha! See how I used that word?) if it’s not better to let them figure it out on their own rather than for you to solve all their problems. Learning critical thinking is an extremely important life skill.
So, unless you are one of the folks I mentioned earlier who are facing an immediate crisis, consider if delaying answering the question or taking the action is not more prudent. So you can ponder it for a while.
Why pondering is important (with a few examples)
I began using the word perhaps 25 years ago, and it has since become one of my favorite words. And if the truth be known, I started using that word when I learned the value of taking time to consider the decision that was in front of me. Or, if perhaps there was a better way to do something than I was attempting to do it. I’ve since made it a personal policy to ponder big decisions. Often, this means waiting until the next day so I can sleep on it or consider it over a period of time. Perhaps, depending on the magnitude of the decision, to pray about it. In most cases, the answer will come to you, or the solution to the problem will present itself. Here are a few broad category examples:
Career decisions: what career should one pursue? Quitting or accepting a job should be pondered. Relocating for a job or retiring should be weighed carefully.
Financial decisions: Making a large purchase like a home or car, or any financial planning, should be carefully considered.
Relationship decisions: Marriage, divorce, children, or perhaps parental care all require careful consideration.
Education: Public or private school for the kids? College? No college? Student loans, cash, or other arrangements?
Health: What do you do when you’ve been told you have a major medical condition? Where are you going to live as you age? These decisions require research, prayer, and time to properly consider
Defining life goals: My personal favorite, and why we take so much time at Afterburner Success Partners to develop these. Any decision that will last a lifetime is worth time to seriously ponder.
Fixing or building stuff: This is a broad category, but I have two recent examples to share, both involving work on my wife’s Acura MDX. I was changing the half-axles. One side was going really well. The second side, not so much. I was becoming frustrated and getting hungry. A lunch break was just what I needed, and suddenly, the part that did not seem to fit initially fell into place perfectly. The second time, after having replaced a brake switch bumper pad, I was attempting to make a brake switch adjustment and was struggling because it was under the dash, and I was bending in shapes not normal for the human body. I stopped to take a break, and voilà! Suddenly, everything worked perfectly. You can expand this example to any task you’re working on. I trust you get the idea.
Taking the time to ponder allows you, at least mentally, if not actually on paper, if you take the time to write it out, to consider the pros and cons of any position or decision you might make. What should happen is that the decision is well thought out, and then the likelihood of success is higher.
Summary
If you suffer from the “urge of the immediate” or question if the immediate is truly urgent, you may find that taking time to ponder your decision allows you to make a better decision. And if it is a big issue, one with consequential ramifications, it is more important to take the time and weigh the pros and cons of each potential decision.
That’s it for this week!
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It’s important to take time to ponder
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Recommended Resources
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Notes
Please note that as an Amazon Affiliate, I may earn a small commission on the sale of any of these recommended resources.
Everyday Cooking for Everyday People Like Us, by David Giustozzi: https://amzn.to/437OhVQ
Achieve Your Dreams: A Complete Guide to Live Your Best Life by David Giustozzi: https://amzn.to/3IxEFgy