Visual model
Not every good opportunity deserves your time
Every opportunity has two prices, the visible one and the hidden one. Five questions to ask before you commit to something big.
Every opportunity has two prices. The visible price is the time, money or effort it takes. The hidden price is everything you cannot do because you chose this instead.
A good opportunity that distracts you from a great one is often a poor decision.
Use this filter for bigger opportunities: a new project, role, partnership or commitment. For everyday requests, use the Time Investment Filter.
The five questions
- Does this align with my goals?
- What returns could it create?
- What will it cost in time, energy and attention?
- What am I saying no to by saying yes?
- Is this the best use of my time right now?
Four possible answers
- Accept
- Delay
- Delegate
- Decline
Reflection questions
- Which opportunities am I saying yes to out of habit?
- What meaningful commitment would I give up by accepting this?
- Does this move me closer to the life I want to build?
- Would I make the same decision if my calendar were empty today?
Your challenge this week
Take one decision you need to make this week and run it through all five questions before you reply. Notice whether your answer changes.
Next idea: The Time Allocation Matrix