Hats, haircuts, and tattoos were recently mentioned in a tweet by James Clear; three things I happen to have. The tweet discusses the importance of decision-making and the outcomes that decisions lead to.
With hats, if you try one and like it, you keep it. If not, you get another one. Hats represent easy decisions that don’t disrupt anything or harm anyone. Some decisions are easy like that; they’re a part of our everyday workflow.
Then there are haircuts. Sometimes, you get a great one, and other times, you get one you don’t like. If you don’t like it, you wait for it to grow out and then fix it. It might take a little longer and be a bit more disruptive. You might feel embarrassed for a while, but it’s fixable, and in the grand scheme of things, it’s not a big deal.
Tattoos, however, are permanent. I have one on my arm, and my kids used to ask when it would rub off. I had to explain that it wouldn’t. Tattoos are decisions that you live with forever, so it’s crucial to make sure it’s something you truly want. I have a cross tattoo, which I love, and I’m happy I have it.
In business, decisions can be like hats, haircuts, or tattoos. Hats and haircuts represent decisions that are relatively easy to make and fix if necessary. Tattoo decisions are more permanent and require more thought. If you make a mistake, it could leave a mark or a scar.
It’s helpful to categorize decisions this way because some people find decision-making challenging. By differentiating them as hats, haircuts, or tattoos, you can approach them with the appropriate level of consideration. For hats and haircuts, make those decisions without overthinking. You can fix or move on if they don’t work out. For tattoo decisions, take your time, consider other opinions and sleep on it before making a final choice.
