The tortoise, the hare, and the billionaire: a fable of modern decision-Making

How mastering the art of strategic pauses can skyrocket your success

Let's talk about decision-making, that glorified and completely overused word. You know, that thing we do countless times a day, from choosing what to eat for breakfast to making million-dollar business moves. We're constantly bombarded with the message that faster is better. "Think quick!" they say. "Master making urgent decisions!" they say.

Here's the deal: there's a four-step process underlying every effective decision. Miss a step, and you're out. It's that simple. And guess what? This process isn't some new-age business theory. It's been around for centuries, hidden in plain sight in one of the oldest fables we know.

Remember the tortoise and the hare? The story about how slow and persistent beats fast and rash moves? I’ve always wondered how people came to that conclusion - I’ve been reading that story somewhat differently….

The Tortoise's Secret Weapon

See, the magic of the tortoise isn't that he's slow. Being slow sucks.

He’s not really persistent; the whole racing thing in that story is fast - that’s the point.

I think the tortoise’s secret superpower is the ability to pause. And that must be hard for him! After all, the hare is so much faster and arrogant, always teasing him. Yet, the tortoise is able to clear his head from all the ideas of how a race actually works.

He thinks from first principles and understands that his goal isn’t to run faster but to get to the finish line first.

So, he chooses a winning strategy that doesn't require him to run faster.

And then, he acts decisively! Keep in mind that he is a tortoise, after all; even tricking the hare requires him to act as fast as he can.

That's right. Our shell-backed friend isn't just plodding along. He's practicing a four-step decision-making process that is straight out of Elon Musk’s daily process:

1. Stop: Pause and clear your mind. This is your moment to shed assumptions and biases, Ignoring the idea of racing = running.

2. Think: Dive deep into the problem. Explore it from all angles. This is where innovation happens. Understand the fundamental goal (= arriving first), and the options (running fast isn’t one of them; using a small rocket would be)

3. Choose: Select the best path forward based on your thorough analysis.

4. Act: Move swiftly and decisively to implement your chosen strategy.

Billionaires Who've Cracked the Code

Now, what does it have to do with the real world?" Well, let me introduce you to the modern-day tortoises: the billionaires who've figured this out.

Take Jeff Bezos, for instance. The guy's notorious for his "two pizza rule" meetings. It's not because he's trying to keep his team's calorie count down. It's all about creating space to stop and think deeply for every member of his team. Think about it: two pizza teams aren’t distracted by anything; they have the space to Pause.

Or consider Warren Buffett. The Oracle of Omaha spends up to 80% of his day reading and thinking. He's not procrastinating; he's setting himself up for success by mastering the 'Think' step.

And let's not forget Elon Musk. When he decided to pursue reusable rockets at SpaceX, he wasn't following industry trends. He stopped, thought it through from first principles, chose a revolutionary path, and then acted with unwavering commitment. In fact, Elon made his problem solving process publically available multiple times, and it’s all about finding a great problem and deleting as much as possible!

Ryan Dalio, founder of the biggest hedge fund in the world, is famous for automating every decision he’s ever made, and that includes most management decisions. What’s the automation of decisions if not to build action into the very decision?

The Paradox That Isn't

Now, here's where it gets really interesting. You might think this process slows you down. But in my experience, it always - and I mean always - leads you in the right direction. On the flip side, missing even one of these steps usually sends you speeding down the wrong road.

It's not about being the fastest out of the gate. It's about making sure you're running the right race.

The Four-Step Formula for Winning Decisions

So, let's break it down. Here's your practical guide to making decisions like a billionaire tortoise:

1. Stop: Before you do anything, take a breath. Clear your mind. Push away all the noise and assumptions. This is your moment to create a blank slate.

2. Think: Now, dive into the problem. Ask questions. Challenge assumptions. Look at it from every angle. This is where the magic happens. Don't rush this step - it's the foundation of your success.

3. Choose: Based on your deep thinking, select your path forward. Make sure it's a choice that aligns with your goals and values.

4. Act: Once you've made your choice, it's time to move. And I mean move. Channel that inner hare and sprint towards your goal.

Remember, skipping any of these steps is like trying to win a race with one leg tied behind your back. It's not about being slow; it's about being strategic.

In the world of decision-making, the tortoise doesn't win by plodding along slowly. He wins by knowing when to pause, when to think, when to choose, and when to act decisively. And that is how you outrun the competition - in business and in life.

So, the next time you're faced with a decision, big or small, remember: Stop. Think. Choose. Act. Master this process, and you'll be crossing finish lines you never even dreamed of.

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