--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Once we have a sense of how long a…" description: "\"Once we have a sense of how long a decision should take, we generally should delay the moment of decision until the last possible instant. If we have a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bec/frank-partnoy-54401_clock_once-we-have-a-sense-of-how-long-a-decis_1360328.jpg" --- # Once we have a sense of how long a decision should take… ![“Once we have a sense of how long a decision should take, we generally should delay the moment of decision until the last possible instant. If we have an hour, we should wait 59 minutes before responding. If we have a year, we should wait 364 days. Even if we have just half a second, we should wait…” quote by Frank Partnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bec/frank-partnoy-54401_clock_once-we-have-a-sense-of-how-long-a-decis_1360328.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bec/frank-partnoy-54401_clock_once-we-have-a-sense-of-how-long-a-decis_1360328.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bec/frank-partnoy-54401_clock_once-we-have-a-sense-of-how-long-a-decis_1360328.jpg) > “Once we have a sense of how long a decision should take, we generally should delay the moment of decision until the last possible instant. If we have an hour, we should wait 59 minutes before responding. If we have a year, we should wait 364 days. Even if we have just half a second, we should wait as long as we possibly can ... Life might be a race against time but it is enriched when we rise above our instincts and stop the clock to process and understand what we are doing and why. A wise decision requires reflection, and reflection requires a pause.” [Frank Partnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-partnoy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Delaying decisions allows deeper reflection, leading to wiser outcomes. **In simple terms:** Pause before deciding for better results. Key Takeaway Take time to reflect before acting. Themes decision making reflection patience Mood thoughtful analytical Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - negotiations - investment choices - personal dilemmas - creative projects - stressful situations Key Concepts cognitive bias deliberation instinct controlbusiness personal life strategic planning Questions to Reflect On - What decisions benefit from a pause? - How do you balance speed and reflection? A Different Perspective Over‑delaying can cause missed opportunities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Clock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clock/) [Decision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decision/) [Decision making](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decision-making/) [Instinct](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instinct/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Pauses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pauses/) [Process](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/process/) [Race](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/race/) [Race against time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/race-against-time/) [Reflection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reflection/) [Rise above](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rise-above/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise/) [Wise decision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise-decision/) ## Related quotes > [Succeeding is a life-long decision, not a new year resolution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ore-abayomi/succeeding-is-a-life-long-decision-not-a-new-year-resolution/) [Ore Abayomi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ore-abayomi/) > [We have no way of knowing what lays ahead for us in the future. All we can do is use the information at hand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-walken/we-have-no-way-of-knowing-what-lays-ahead-for-us-in-the-future-all-we/) [Christopher Walken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-walken/) > [Life is complicated. No book or manual can ever guarantee you a successful life. You live & learn, make the best decision possible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/life-is-complicated-no-book-or-manual-can-ever-guarantee-you-a/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [Somewhere along the line, I conditioned myself to be a quick thinker. I take a step back and try to assess the situation, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-sadowski/somewhere-along-the-line-i-conditioned-myself-to-be-a-quick-thinker-i/) [Jonathan Sadowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-sadowski/) > [“IT IS IN THE MOMENT OF YOUR DECISION THAT YOU LIFE IS SHAPED.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-robbins/it-is-in-the-moment-of-your-decision-that-you-life-is-shaped/) [Anthony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-robbins/) > [“There had to be a moment, some decision that you made, and before it, you were one person, and after it, someone else.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-s-a-corey/there-had-to-be-a-moment-some-decision-that-you-made-and-before-it/) [James S.A. Corey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-s-a-corey/) > [“Hindsight is always easier than the dreadful moment of decision.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/hindsight-is-always-easier-than-the-dreadful-moment-of-decision/) [Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/) > [“In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/in-any-moment-of-decision-the-best-thing-you-can-do-is-the-right-2/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [At any moment the decision you make can change the course of your life forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/at-any-moment-the-decision-you-make-can-change-the-course-of-your/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) > [In a moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing. The worst thing you can do is nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/in-a-moment-of-decision-the-best-thing-you-can-do-is-the-right-thing/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [At Any Moment Of Decision, The Best Thing You Can Do Is The Right Thing. The Worst Thing You Can Do Is Nothing...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pacifiersucker/at-any-moment-of-decision-the-best-thing-you-can-do-is-the-right/) Pacifiersucker > [“Tis the moment where a decision is set to alter the course of her destiny. She walks toward the light where he patiently awaits…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/truth-devour/tis-the-moment-where-a-decision-is-set-to-alter-the-course-of-her/) Truth Devour > [Every moment is a moment of decision, and every moment turns us inexorably in the direction of the rest of our lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-balogh/every-moment-is-a-moment-of-decision-and-every-moment-turns-us/) [Mary Balogh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-balogh/) > [“Greatness is always in the moment of the decision”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-olson/greatness-is-always-in-the-moment-of-the-decision/) [Jeff Olson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-olson/) > [In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing. The worst thing you can do is nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-any-moment-of-decision-the-best-thing-you-can-do-is-the-right/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Frank Partnoy > [“Because if you don't know how to manage time, time can rule you like a tyrant.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-partnoy/because-if-you-don-t-know-how-to-manage-time-time-can-rule-you-like-a/) [Frank Partnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-partnoy/) > [People today read less, take fewer museum trips, and attend fewer concerts. Is that because these activities aren't as fun? The decline... can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-partnoy/people-today-read-less-take-fewer-museum-trips-and-attend-fewer/) [Frank Partnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-partnoy/) > [Wait for the last possible moment to make a decision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-partnoy/wait-for-the-last-possible-moment-to-make-a-decision/) [Frank Partnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-partnoy/) > [Time is a slippery concept, and we are often wrong about it... All too often we find ourselves looking in the right places at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-partnoy/time-is-a-slippery-concept-and-we-are-often-wrong-about-it-all-too/) [Frank Partnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-partnoy/) > [The mistake...was attributed in part to the fact that employees called the 3-year note 'Losh' and the 5-year note 'Bosh'. The comic mixing of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-partnoy/the-mistake-was-attributed-in-part-to-the-fact-that-employees-called/) [Frank Partnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-partnoy/) [Explore all 6 Frank Partnoy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-partnoy/) ## More Clock quotes > [Even Einstein had to rely for his time on his clock.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/even-einstein-had-to-rely-for-his-time-on-his-clock/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [“Time was never neutral and often felt dangerous. We either think we have all the time in the world or time moves too fast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-reay/time-was-never-neutral-and-often-felt-dangerous-we-either-think-we/) [Katherine Reay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-reay/) > [Before a clock was in the tower, Or e'er a watch was worn; I knew of night the passing hour, And prophesied the morn;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/before-a-clock-was-in-the-tower-or-e-er-a-watch-was-worn-i-knew-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [A clock struck out the hour of twelve, and the bird in the hedgerow was still singing as we marched out to the roadway,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-macgill/a-clock-struck-out-the-hour-of-twelve-and-the-bird-in-the-hedgerow/) [Patrick MacGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-macgill/) > [“Time is, to put it in its most impressive and some might say poncy-sounding form, my domain. I can see things that once happened,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-rayner/time-is-to-put-it-in-its-most-impressive-and-some-might-say-poncy/) [Jacqueline Rayner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-rayner/) > [Time travel offends our sense of cause and effect - but maybe the universe doesn't insist on cause and effect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-m-lerner/time-travel-offends-our-sense-of-cause-and-effect-but-maybe-the/) [Edward M. Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-m-lerner/) > [My only aim is to clock a time that everyone remembers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hima-das/my-only-aim-is-to-clock-a-time-that-everyone-remembers/) [Hima Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hima-das/) > [Time.The greatest creator, and the worst destroyer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/levi-keely/time-the-greatest-creator-and-the-worst-destroyer/) Levi Keely > [Steven Spielberg seems to have wanted to be a director from 13. He put his dog in a certain position and made him eat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-brooks/steven-spielberg-seems-to-have-wanted-to-be-a-director-from-13-he-put/) [Albert Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-brooks/) > [No life goes past so swiftly as an eventless one, no clock spins like a clock whose days are all alike.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-stegner/no-life-goes-past-so-swiftly-as-an-eventless-one-no-clock-spins-like/) [Wallace Stegner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-stegner/) > [Those who stop marketing to save money are like those who stop a clock to save time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ford/those-who-stop-marketing-to-save-money-are-like-those-who-stop-a/) [Henry Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ford/) > [Time is the nervous system of narration, whether factual or fictive. If it gets confused some of the minutiae of human nature are certain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenway-wescott/time-is-the-nervous-system-of-narration-whether-factual-or-fictive-if/) [Glenway Wescott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenway-wescott/) > [I don't know if it's just me or everyone, but the whole vibe with skiing is not so much thriving on competition against others…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/picabo-street/i-don-t-know-if-it-s-just-me-or-everyone-but-the-whole-vibe-with/) [Picabo Street](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/picabo-street/) > [Time goes on, even when yer not looking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-ness/time-goes-on-even-when-yer-not-looking/) [Patrick Ness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-ness/) > [CLOCK, n. A machine of great moral value to man, allaying his concern for the future by reminding him what a lot of time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/clock-n-a-machine-of-great-moral-value-to-man-allaying-his-concern/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) [Browse all 2,738 Clock quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clock/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Once we have a sense of how long a decision should take, we generally should delay the moment of decision until the last possible instant. If we have an hour, we should wait 59 minutes before responding. If we have a year, we should wait 364 days. Even if we have just half a second, we should wait as long as we possibly can ... Life might be a race against time but it is enriched when we rise above our instincts and stop the clock to process and understand what we are doing and why. 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