In the last five years, what have you become better at…
““In the last five years, what have you become better at saying no to? My biggest shift came after listening to a successful CEO talk about his philosophy for hiring people. When his company grew and he ran out of time to interview people himself, he had his employees rate new candidates on a 1–10 scale. The only stipulation was they couldn’t choose 7. It immediately dawned on me how many invitations I was receiving that I would rate as a 7—speeches, weddings, coffees, even dates. If I thought something was a 7, there was a good chance I felt obligated to do it. But if I have to decide between a 6 or an 8, it’s a lot easier to quickly determine whether or not I should even consider it.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Learning to set a clear threshold for commitments helps prioritize high‑value activities and reduce low‑impact obligations.
In simple terms: Set a simple rating rule to filter invitations.
Key Takeaway
Use a 1‑10 scale, avoid the middle rating.
Themes
productivity
decision making
boundaries
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
strategic
self‑management
When to use this quote
- work meetings
- social events
- networking
- personal projects
- dating
Key Concepts
priority management
opportunity cost
psychology of choice
Questions to Reflect On
- What criteria would you use to rate a request?
- How does a middle rating affect your sense of obligation?
A Different Perspective
The scale may oversimplify nuanced decisions and miss context.