Hey Reader,

Every minute of every day, we’re making decisions.

(I know, I know – I wrote about decision making last week too.)

Sometimes the decisions we make are fully grounded, well thought-out, and exude the energy we want to embody in the world. And sometimes…they aren’t. Instead, they can be reactive to what’s going on around us and unconsciously (and uncritically) informed by the under-the-surface movements going on within us.

This week has been busy in my life (a new position at work, coming back from a bout of COVID, and the kids starting t-ball!), so I wanted to pass along a quick, simple practice that helps me evaluate and make decisions – and hopefully it'll support you as well.

It’s called the 10-10-10 and I use it all...the...time.

Whenever I have a big choice to make and I think I’ve settled on a direction, I take a few seconds and ask myself these three questions:

• How will I feel about this 10 minutes from now?
• How will I feel about this 10 months from now?
• How will I feel about this 10 years from now?

Sometimes it immediately confirms my decision…and to be honest, sometimes it throws me right back into that liminal space where I don’t know what to do.

But even then, it tends to help me stay directionally true to who I feel myself becoming.

Try it out and let me know if it helps!

A quick addition as I hit send: If you're feeling a bit "frozen" when it comes to activism or you're asking yourself "what can I do?," this practice might really help get you unstuck (it certainly helped me!)

Start with: "How will I feel if I do nothing different 10 minutes/months/years from now?" Then, brainstorm actions and ask: "How will I feel if I [action] 10 minutes/months/years from now?"

❓ Questions

1. What is a crossroads you feel you’re facing? What decisions are you being invited to at this crossroads?
2. What is your “usual” process for decision making? How has it served you? How has it not served you?

🧰 Resources

• ​"Three Things That Get in the Way of Making Good Decisions" (article)
• ​"It's true you didn't sign up for this." (IG post)
• ​"Game Trails," by James A. Pearson (poem)

📅 Upcoming September Events

September 5th: Sweatshirt Session

With the election gearing up, and all the anxiety, stress, and energy coming with it, this 90-minute “sweatshirt session” is all about grounding ourselves in practices of self-connection and staying soft, yet fierce, in the midst of it. I hope you’ll consider joining us.​

September 14th: Fireside Chat with James A. Pearson

In-Person: If you live in the Seattle-Tacoma area, come on by Grit City Books in Tacoma for a conversation with poet and friend-of-the-W123, James A. Pearson. I'll be playing "host" and James will be reading from his book "The Wilderness That Bears Your Name." It'll start right at 5:30pm. You can RSVP here.

September 16th, 23rd, 30th: Get-Out-the-Vote Letter Writing Parties

Want to do something that can make an impact on our upcoming presidential election? Join 20-or-so of us in writing letters to swing-state voters encouraging them to vote in November. If you're interested, just hit "reply" and I'll send you all the info on how this works and the Zoom link.

Hope all is well-enough with you,

Andrew IG: @andrewglang​