Let’s dive into something that’ll shape your entire life: judgment and decision-making. These aren’t just skills; they’re superpowers you’ll develop over time. The more you use them, the stronger they become, like muscles that grow with exercise.

Judgment is your starting point. It’s the lens through which you view the world, helping you evaluate situations, anticipate outcomes, and form opinions. Think of it as your internal compass, always working to point you in the right direction. Decision-making comes next; it’s the action you take based on where that compass is pointing. It’s choosing which path to walk down once your judgment has surveyed the landscape.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting—and challenging. The real art lies in finding the perfect balance between acting swiftly and waiting for more information. Imagine you’re walking a tightrope stretched between two tall buildings. Lean too far to one side, and you might tumble into the pit of hasty, ill-informed decisions. Lean too far the other way, and you risk falling into the abyss of indecision and missed opportunities. The goal is to keep your balance, moving forward steadily and purposefully.

Life has a funny way of rarely giving us all the information we need. Sometimes, like when a stray baseball is hurtling toward your face, you don’t have time to think—you just react. But most of the time, you do have a moment to pause and consider. The real skill is in knowing how much time to take, and that’s something you’ll get better at with practice.

Here’s a little mental tool I’ve developed over the years for those tougher choices. Picture a funnel in your mind, the kind you might use to pour oil into your car. At the top of this funnel, you pour in all your thoughts and information. But before anything comes out the bottom, it has to pass through three important filters.

The first filter asks: How easy would it be to change course if I’m wrong? Some decisions are like writing in pencil—easily erased and corrected. Others are more like carving in stone—much harder to undo. The easier it is to change course, the less time you need to agonize over the decision.

The second filter is a bit more philosophical: Will I be happy that I tried this decision when I’m 80 years old, looking back on my life? I don’t like to say would you regret this when you are 80 because I don’t think you should ever have regret.  The only thing to regret is not getting back up when you get knocked down.  As long as you keep getting up you should never have a regret. This helps you separate the truly important choices from the ones that only seem crucial in the moment.

The third filter is about approach: Does this decision require careful analysis, gut feeling, or a combination of both? Some choices benefit from spreadsheets and pro-con lists, while others are best made by trusting your instincts.

As your thoughts pass through these filters, you’ll get a clearer idea of how much time and energy to invest in the decision.

For the small stuff—like what to have for dinner or which movie to watch—don’t get bogged down in overthinking. These are pencil decisions; easy to change if you don’t like the outcome. But for the big decisions—choosing a career path, deciding where to live, or committing to a relationship—take your time. Gather information from reliable sources, seek advice from people you trust, and carefully consider how each option aligns with your goals and values.

Even with big decisions, though, there comes a point where more information won’t help. You’ll never have all the facts, and waiting too long can be just as harmful as rushing in blindly. I have a saying: It’s time to decide when no new facts are falling from the sky. That’s when you trust your gut—not as some mystical sixth sense, but as the culmination of all your experiences and the wisdom you’ve accumulated over time.

It’s crucial to look at things from multiple angles. Try to step into other people’s shoes and see the situation from their perspective. This approach helps you avoid blind spots and makes your decisions more robust and fair. But be careful not to get trapped in an endless cycle of “what-ifs.” At some point, you have to take a deep breath and commit to a course of action.

Here’s something comforting to remember: most decisions aren’t set in stone. If things don’t work out as planned—and sometimes they won’t—you can usually adjust your course. Every choice you make, whether it turns out well or not, teaches you something valuable. These lessons are the building blocks of better judgment for the future.So here’s my advice, distilled from years of triumphs and mistakes: Be curious about the world around you, but don’t let that curiosity paralyze you into inaction. Be decisive when it counts, but not so reckless that you ignore important information. Strive to find that middle ground where good judgment thrives—a place where you know enough to act wisely, but remain flexible enough to adapt when circumstances change.

Life is going to throw a never-ending series of decisions at you. Some will be small and seemingly insignificant, while others will be life-altering. Each one, in its own way, will shape the person you’re becoming. Trust yourself to navigate these choices with care, courage, and growing wisdom.

Remember, the more you practice making decisions and exercising your judgment, the better you’ll get at it. It’s a lifelong journey of learning and growth. Embrace it, learn from it, and trust in your ability to make good choices. You’ve got this, and I believe in you.