First Bite Decisions
What does the plate in the photo tell you about decisions? We could talk about what we decide to put on a plate in the first place—but that’s a separate article. This particular pondering is about the first bite taken. If one looks closely at the photo, there’s a small bit of tortilla—gone. That was my first bite.
Do we “think” about our (small) initial decisions—or do we just do them? Do we care?
Plate contents and characteristics (for me):
What does my tortilla-bite say about me? Unable to defer gratification? Impulsive—had to try the new thing?right away? Curious, adventurous and unafraid of new things? Disciplined by way of waiting for my anticipated shrimp treat? None of the above? A totally random choice?
We all make decisions all the time—every day. What makes us decide what to decide? ?? How do we know that a “small" decision is truly a small one? (consider the butterfly effect).
Point of interest: The lap tray photo is of?Waiters Watching Sonja Henie Skate, San Moritz,?1932?by Alfred Eisenstaedt. Imagine that someone snapped a photo of you at the office in the?year 2022—while you're looking out the window… Can you then imagine someone in the year 2112 (likely well after you’re gone) eating their lunch while looking at?you?look out the window? Would that make them eat the shrimp first???
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2 年Saving the best for last is one approach that is a personal fit. Arguably this comes from a life habit of delayed gratification - best last. Growing up I was taught to get the work done, then take a small reward like a cold Coke. So food choice sequence, and for that matter any sequence choice is affected by harder/mundane first, easier/special last. Perhaps a touch of childhood religious training is imbedded - denial in this life for reward in next life! This principle spills to empathy also - help another first, help yourself later. Whether shrimp is eaten first or last is less telling than if only the shrimp (best) is eaten!
?? Bridge Builder
2 年That looks healthy and delicious, CRAIG. Would looking at a picture from yester-yester-yesteryear make us eat the novel, the delicatessen, or the most healthy first? Thinking of my grandmother and the photo I have of her and her sisters, probably taken around 1895, I would in her honor eat the shrimp first. She loved shrimp and even more so if they were just cooked and we peeled them around the table. But my guess is that she would have been game for the tortilla and the hummus as well - although neither had found its way to the Danish kitchen in her lifetime. I think she would have been delighted to discover the variety available today for our spoiled palates. I, on the other hand, would have missed the smoked sheep milk cheese with caraway seeds that pairs so well with the radishes. Guess I will have some pickled herring for lunch instead...
Executive/Career/Life Coach :: Leadership Development :: Strategy
2 年Thinking of you master decision-science thinkers Mark Klein, Mark Curtis... Deep thinker and bridge-builder Charlotte Wittenkamp... Reflective friends Kevin Blaushild, Anthony D. Houston... Philosophical ponderers Don Iannone, D. Div., M.Div., M.A., Ken Chapin, Joseph (Joe) Klinehamer, Brian Madden, Lena Rantsevich, Steve Rucinski, Jens Ulrik Hansen and Philip Auerswald... Writing, publishing and humanity-elevating leaders Laura Gray, Dennis Pitocco, Melissa Hughes, Ph.D., Dean Skinner, Christina Morello and Gustavo Zylberberg... You know who you are Sue James. PS: Peter Nakamura just saw your post regarding decisions https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/peternakamura_b2b-saas-startups-activity-6954833454249201665-R0RT?utm_source=linkedin_share&utm_medium=ios_app