《神聖步伐author of Sacred Pace註1》一書的作者泰瑞·盧珀（Terry Looper），在我們組織的高峰會議上做專題演講。他承認自己在商業生涯的早期，想要取悅別人的欲望讓他有時做出不好的決定。在試圖取悅別人的過程中，他偶爾會做出一些草率的決定，而這些決定後來都讓他後悔。

在多次經歷了這樣的情況之後，盧珀最後用了一個簡單的原則，讓自己能夠避免這種糟糕、不夠理性的決定。他說，他拒絕做出任何重大決定，除非他先等候24小時。

盧珀說，他清楚知道，透過延遲24小時做決定，他能從壓力中抽身，也有時間仔細思考真實的需求。

我們可以把這一個原則，應用在幾乎每一個需要做決定的情況。包括重大採購、合約簽訂、重要的招聘、換工作、借錢給別人、深入參與一個專案，和其他無數可能對你和身邊的人，產生長期影響的決定。

很少有這樣的決定，是緊急到不能延遲24個小時的。如此做，能排除情緒和衝動。有時，一個看起來似乎好到不能錯過的機會，在等待之後，我們可能會意識到，它並不像表面上看起來那麼好。延遲做決定，也給了我們必要的時間來思考，一些在開始可能沒有考慮到的因素。或者從不同的角度，重新檢視重要的細節。一時衝動做出的決定很少能提供這種好處。

聖經在很多方面，是有史以來最好的商業書籍，它提出許多關於做出謹慎、深思熟慮決定的重要。以下是幾個例子：

避免倉促決定的陷阱。正如盧珀所觀察到的，通常有一種誘惑，就是快速做出決定來取悅他人。但從長遠來看，做出日後會讓你後悔的決定，將無法取悅任何人。「人冒失說，（這是）聖物，許願之後才查問，就是自陷網羅。」（箴言20章25節）

避免決定被推翻的尷尬。我們也許不想做出和人期待相反的決定，進而讓別人失望，但如果最後又不得不回到人面前，承認自己不能堅守原來的決定，那就反而更令人失望了。耶穌教導說：「你們的話，是，就說是；不是，就說不是；若再多說就是出於那惡者 。」（馬太福音5章37節）

避免因承諾無法達成而蒙羞。通常我們的決定是出於好意的，起初也覺得自己做得到。不幸的是，如果匆忙做決定，可能後來被證明是不明智的決定，都為時已晚了。「你們哪一個要蓋一座樓，不先坐下算計花費，能蓋成不能呢？」（路加福音14章28節）

做決定是一個困難的過程，特別是攸關牽一髮動全身的時候。做決定時應該要仔細斟酌，以避免將來有遺憾或其他後遺症。這樣也可以爭取更多的時間用來禱告，並在進行之前，尋求上帝的智慧。如果你以往傾向做出草率的決定，可以試試泰瑞·盧珀的「24小時原則」。
註1:《神聖步伐author of Sacred Pace》此書，台灣未有出版中文，此為台灣CBMC自行翻譯。

@2023版權所有，經許可改編自 “UBN誠信時刻”，關於職場工作中信仰議題的評論。UBN是一個服務小型企業界的國際性職場信仰事工。UBN的官網: www.unconventionalbusiness.org

備註：如果你有聖經，想閱讀更多的內容，可以考慮以下的經文(因篇幅有限，請查閱未列出的經文創世記11章4-9節)：

詩篇37篇3-7節
37:3 你當倚靠耶和華而行善，住在地上，以他的信實為糧；
37:4 又要以耶和華為樂，他就將你心裏所求的賜給你。
37:5 當將你的事交託耶和華，並倚靠他，他就必成全。
37:6 他要使你的公義如光發出，使你的公平明如正午。
37:7 你當默然倚靠耶和華，耐性等候他；不要因那道路通達的和那惡謀成就的心懷不平。
箴言3章5-6節
3:5 你要專心仰賴耶和華，不可倚靠自己的聰明，
3:6 在你一切所行的事上都要認定他，他必指引你的路。
箴言16章3、9節
16:3 你所做的，要交託耶和華，你所謀的，就必成立。
16:9 人心籌算自己的道路；惟耶和華指引他的腳步。
箴言20章24節
20:24 人的腳步為耶和華所定；人豈能明白自己的路呢？
箴言21章2節
21:2 人所行的，在自己眼中都看為正；惟有耶和華衡量人心。
箴言24章27節
24:27 你要在外頭預備工料，在田間辦理整齊，然後建造房屋。
箴言27章12節
27:12 通達人見禍藏躲；愚蒙人前往受害。

反省與問題討論

1. 通常來說，你做決定過程的形式是什麼呢?
2. 想一個後來讓你後悔的重大決定。你認為在做決定之前，花了夠多的時間思考嗎？為什麼你會做出這個決定？
3. 你認為自己是一個喜歡取悅別人的人嗎？總是用決定來取悅別人，有什麽好處和壞處？
4. 你是否曾經嘗試過類似「24小時原則」方法來管理自己的決定？如果有，請解釋一下那是什麽情況。如果沒有，你覺得用24小時原則來做決定，會有什麼不同？

MAKING DECISIONS ACCORDING TO THE 24-HOUR RULE

By Rick Boxx 

Terry Looper, author of Sacred Pace, was speaking at our organization’s Summit conference. He admitted that early in his business career his desire to please people caused him sometimes to make poor decisions. In his attempt to make others happy, he occasionally would arrive at rash decisions that he would later regret. 

After experiencing the consequences of this a number of times, Looper eventually implemented a simple rule that would enable him to avoid such bad, poorly reasoned decisions. He said he refused to decide on any important matters until he had waited 24 hours.  

Looper said he learned that by withholding a decision for 24 hours, it gave him a means for stepping away from the pressure of the situation. It also gave him time to carefully consider the request. 

We could apply this principle to practically any situation in which a decision is necessary. These could include such things as major purchases, signing contracts, important hiring decisions, changing jobs, extending a loan to someone, becoming deeply involved in a project, and countless other circumstances that could have a long-term impact on you and those close to you.

Very few decisions are so urgent that they cannot be postponed for 24 hours. This can remove emotions and impulses from the equation. Sometimes an opportunity seems too good to pass up, but after waiting we might realize that it was not as good as it seemed. Delaying a decision also gives needed time to consider factors we might not have initially taken into account, or to reconsider important details from a variety of perspectives. Making decisions on the spur of the moment rarely provides that luxury.

The Bible, in many ways the best book on business ever written, has much to say about the importance of making careful, well-considered decisions. Here are just a few examples:

Avoiding the hasty decision trap. As Looper observed, there is often a temptation to quickly arrive at decisions to please others. But over the long-term, making decisions you will later regret is pleasing for no one. “It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider one’s vows” (Proverbs 20:25). 

Avoiding the embarrassment of a reversed decision. We might not want to disappoint people by making a decision contrary to their wishes, but it is even more disappointing to have to go back to them and admit you cannot hold to your original decision. Jesus taught, “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,” ‘No.” For whatever is more than these is from the evil one” (Matthew 5:37).

Avoiding the disgrace of being unable to complete the commitment. Often our decisions are well-intended; we initially believe we can fulfill obligations that we make. Unfortunately, if made in haste they may too late prove to have been unwise. “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?” (Luke 14:28).

Decision-making can be a difficult process, especially when there is a lot at stake. Decisions should be made with careful deliberation to avoid future regrets or other repercussions. This also provides time to pray and seek God’s wisdom before proceeding. If you tend to make rash decisions, try Terry Looper’s 24-hour rule.

Copyright 2023, Unconventional Business Network. Adapted with permission from “UBN Integrity Moments”, a commentary on faith at work issues. Visit www.unconventionalbusiness.org. UBN is a faith at work ministry serving the international small business community.

Reflection/Discussion Questions

1. What is your decision-making process like, typically speaking?
2. Think of a significant decision you made that you later regretted. Do you think you spent a sufficient amount of time before arriving at the decision? Why or why not?
3. Do you consider yourself to be a people-pleaser? What are some advantages – and disadvantages – of always trying to please people with our decisions?
4. Have you ever tried anything like the “24-hour rule” to govern your decision-making? If so, explain what that has been like for you. If not, what difference could it make in the decisions you make and how you arrive at them?

NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages:
Genesis 11:4-9; Psalm 37:3-7; Proverbs 3:5-6, 16:3,9, 20:24, 21:2, 24:27, 27:12

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