Overthinking is a common excuse to taking action.

But rushing into life-altering decisions can be disastrous.

The simple mental model of reversible vs irreversible decisions can help you avoid overthinking and rushing in. Here's what it is, why it's so useful and how to apply it.

What are Reversible Decisions?

Reversible decisions can be easily undone or altered without significant consequences.

Most decisions we face every day fall into this category. In contrast, irreversible decisions are ones which are difficult to undo. Really, this is a spectrum but there is a point where decisions become practically irreversible if not actually.

The benefit of reversible decisions

Reversible decisions give us the freedom to take low risks.

If we can undo a decision, we can take action sooner instead of waiting around until we are sure. This

• Avoids procrastination

• Gathers useful data

• Helps get to the right path sooner

Reversible decisions help us to test and correct our assumptions in a way that daydreaming and prognosticating can never do.

Making irreversible decisions, reversible

Most decisions are actually on a spectrum.

But binary thinking makes us think we have to either go all in or not. When we find low-risk options to test our path forward, we can turn irreversible decisions into reversible ones.

For example, instead of quitting your job to start your dream job which you’ve never done, test it as a side project in your free time.

So next time you face a decision, check if it’s reversible or can be made more reversible.