When in doubt, try the difference

When in doubt(dout), try the difference

By Derek Sivers

If you’re in doubt about something that’s not in your life, try it. Things are so different in practice versus in theory(ˈTHi(ə)rē,ˈTHēərē). The only way to know is to experience it yourself.

Try it examples:

Pursuing a new interest?
Moving somewhere very different?
Quitting(kwit) your job to go freelance(ˈfrēˌlans)?

Err(er,ər) on the side of yes. Try it. If it was a mistake, at least you’ll know first-hand, instead of always wondering.

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If you’re in doubt about something that’s in your life already, get rid(rid) of it. Not just things, this goes for identities, habits, goals, relationships, technology, and anything else. Default to not having it, then see how you do without.

Get rid of it examples:

Relationships that bring you down
Goals you’re not pursuing
A career(kəˈri(ə)r) that’s plateaued(plaˈtō)

Err on the side of no. Get rid of it. Start with a clean slate(slāt), If it was a mistake, you’ll get it back with a renewed enthusiasm(enˈTHo͞ozēˌazəm).

(The common thread(THred) is to make the change, to know first-hand.)

Get rid of everything examples:

Erase(əˈrās) your phone and computer. Re-install the operating system from scratch(skraCH). Don’t restore from the backup — not even your contacts. Only add back people who contact you. Don’t install any apps unless you can’t do without them.

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https://sivers.org/trd