My timing has been off this holiday season. I purchased a gift card for regular price, only to have it discounted by 10% the week after. I waited to buy a gift online until after I browsed locally first, but then the item was sold out when I returned to the site. It used to be that Black Friday was the day for deals but I’ve found greater bargains since then. It makes me unsure as to when the right time is to finish my list.
Shopping is emblematic of other situations where we try to get it right in scenarios where there is no right. Having more information just makes us fret — of course, we focus on the missed opportunities rather than the selection or pricing we received.
It’s better to have forward motion — progress in completing tasks — rather than waiting for the perfect moment to act. Make that list, check it twice, then execute, knowing your actions will include some fortuitous wins and unfortunate setbacks due to the random timing of when you do them.
