Slow in Deliberation, Quick in Action

In his Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle has an extended conversation on deliberation, what it is, and how to be excellent in it. As part of this discussion, he references a common saying of the time which states, "The action which follows deliberation should be quick, but deliberation itself should be slow."

There is so much truth dripping from this adage. All of us have had experiences where we wish we would have thought before speaking or acting. We know that taking time to deliberate is a great way to avoid doing something that we will later regret.

On the flip side, we also all have situations where we wish we would have acted in the moment instead of being frozen by doubt and letting an opportunity slip through our fingers.

I believe there are two ways that we can best follow Aristotle's advice.

First, if we are to be slow in deliberation, we have to begin the deliberation long before action is required. Our struggles with inaction are often a result of attempting to be slow in deliberation but not possessing the requisite time. This takes a certain amount of foresight to see what decisions are on the horizon, and it takes courage to confront the hard decisions now instead of leaving them for the last minute.

The second way is to let someone else know when you have come to a decision. This does three things. First, it brings someone else into the conversation who may have insight into your situation. Second, if you have made a good decision, they will be able to affirm your decision which should give you more confidence to act quickly when the time comes. Third, there is now an extra layer of accountability. If you are slow and indecisive in action, not only will you have betrayed yourself but your friend as well.

Consider the big decisions that are approaching in the coming weeks and months in your life and begin to schedule time to deliberate on them. I am confident you will benefit from having reasoned approaches in the key moments of your life. 

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