Mark Mortensen [Archive.org URL]

Divide decisions into one-way versus two-way door decisions. Two-way door decisions are those that are relatively easy to undo. Both Bezos and Branson argue that we shouldn’t waste a lot of time deliberating and debating such decisions, but rather try them out and then roll them back if needed. Two-way door decisions are great opportunities for learning. In contrast, one-way door decisions are those that are difficult (if not impossible) to reverse, and therefore worth the time and effort to carefully consider and evaluate all options prior to making the decision final. The first question to ask, therefore, is whether the career change you’re contemplating is a two- or one-way door decision.

However, if … you think the costs make the door one-way, ask yourself if there’s a way to turn that one-way door decision into a two-way door decision.

Also keep in mind that you don’t need a costless “undo” button to turn a one-way door decision into a two-way door decision. Remember, a one-way door decision is really just one where you think the costs of failure are too large to bear. Reducing your exposure for a decision you can’t undo is another way of ultimately making it a two-way decision. So, if you can’t walk away from your one-way door decision, see if there are ways to make a bad decision less costly. If you can get the cost low enough that you’re willing to incur it if things go wrong and you walk away, you’ve in effect made it a two-way door decision.

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