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"بیشتر تصمیم‌ها درها‌ی دو‌طرفه هستند. اگر انتخاب اشتباهی کردید، می‌توانید بازگردید، در دیگری را انتخاب کنید و دوباره تلاش کنید. کمی زمان صرف انتخاب اول می‌کنید، متوجه می‌شوید که درست نیست و ادامه می‌دهید. با این حال، برخی از تصمیم‌ها درهای یک‌طرفه هستند. ای"

Jeff Bezos
Jeff Bezos Entrepreneur
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Quote meaning
The core idea here is straightforward: most choices we make in life are reversible. You can make a decision, realize it wasn't the best one, and then change course. It's not a big deal. But then there are those rare, critical decisions that can't be undone. Those need extra thought and care.

Historical context isn't necessary to grasp this concept, but it’s worth mentioning that Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, popularized this idea. He used it to explain how decisions at Amazon could be approached: most business choices are like two-way doors—easy to reverse—while a few are one-way doors that lock you into a path. Knowing the difference can save a lot of heartache and stress.

Let's dive into a real-life example. Imagine you're job hunting. You get two offers: one from a startup with a lot of potentials but no job security, and another from an established corporation with a clear career path but less excitement. Choosing the startup is a two-way door. If it doesn't work out, you can look for another job. Maybe you'll even go back to corporate life. But moving to another country for that job? That's more of a one-way door. It involves uprooting your life, possibly your family’s too. It's not something you can easily reverse.

So how do you apply this wisdom? First, learn to identify whether you're dealing with a two-way or one-way door. For reversible decisions, don't sweat the small stuff. Make the call quickly and adjust if needed. But for those one-way doors, slow down. Seek advice. Weigh the pros and cons carefully. Sometimes, gathering more information or giving yourself a bit of time to think can make all the difference.

Here's a relatable story to illustrate this. Picture Sarah, an ambitious graphic designer. She’s torn between freelancing and taking up a full-time position at a well-known agency. Freelancing is more like a two-way door. She can try it out, and if she doesn’t like the uncertainty, she can look for a regular job later. But accepting the full-time job and signing a multi-year contract? That’s a one-way door. She’ll be committed, possibly passing up other freelance opportunities that might arise.

Sarah decides to test the waters. She starts freelancing while keeping an eye on job listings. Months pass, and she realizes she loves the freedom and variety freelancing offers. She’s glad she didn’t rush into the full-time job—imagine the regret if she found herself locked into something she wasn’t passionate about.

So, when you’re facing a decision, ask yourself: is this a two-way door or a one-way door? If it’s the former, don’t overthink it. Make the call, and if it doesn’t work out, no biggie. But if it’s the latter, take your time. Talk to people who’ve been in similar situations. Don’t rush into something you can’t easily undo. Life’s too short for unnecessary regrets.

In the end, this approach can save you from stress and help you navigate life’s choices more confidently. So, when you find yourself at a crossroads, take a moment to figure out what kind of door you’re dealing with. It could make all the difference.
Related tags
Analysis Choices Consequences Decision-making Deliberation Risk management
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