“Most decisions are two-way doors. If you make the wrong choice, you can walk back out, pick another door, and try again. You spend a little time on the first choice, realize it's not right, and move on. However, some decisions are one-way doors. These are highly consequential and hard to reverse. Once you go through, there's no going back. These decisions must be made deliberately and carefully. If there’s another way to analyze them, you should slow down and take the time to do so”
— Jeff Bezos
Simplified Meaning:
Many choices in life are like doors you can walk through and, if you don’t like what’s on the other side, you can turn around and come back out. For example, trying out a new hobby is a two-way door. If you start painting and later decide it's not for you, you can simply stop and try something else, like cooking or playing a musical instrument. This type of choice doesn't carry significant risks because you can always reverse it. On the other hand, some choices are like one-way doors. Once you step through, there is no turning back. Think about moving to a different country or deciding to have a child. These decisions have lifelong consequences and are very hard, if not impossible, to undo. Because of their importance, it's crucial to think them through very carefully. Take your time to weigh all options and consider the long-term impact before making such decisions. Slowing down and analyzing these big choices can help ensure that you make the best possible decision for your future.