Mason’s Rule: Never Make Decisions Based on Temporary Feelings

Mason’s Rule: Never Make Decisions Based on Temporary Feelings

The One Decision That Changed Everything

Mason had always been a passionate, driven individual. He had big dreams, a clear vision, and the motivation to push forward. But there was one thing that constantly got in his way... his emotions.

For years, Mason let his emotions dictate his decisions. When he was excited, he made impulsive choices. When he was angry, he walked away from opportunities.

When he was afraid, he avoided risks that could have changed his life. It wasn’t until one costly mistake that he realized he needed to change the way he made decisions forever.

The Mistake That Almost Cost Him Everything

At 25, Mason was building his own business. He had quit his job six months prior to focus full-time on his startup, an online platform for creative freelancers. He poured everything into it... his savings, his energy, and his heart.

One evening, after a particularly stressful day of dealing with investor rejections and technical setbacks, Mason received an email from a potential business partner. The offer seemed decent: a collaboration that could provide funding but also required him to give up 60% of his company.

Frustrated and exhausted, Mason immediately declined the offer. He was tired of feeling like he had to give away everything he worked for. “No way,” he muttered as he hit send.

The next morning, he woke up with a clearer mind. He decided to take another look at the email, wondering if he had been too quick to reject it. As he read through the details again, he realized something... he had let his emotions cloud his judgment.

The offer wasn't about losing his company; it was about gaining strategic help and mentorship. He had just turned down an opportunity that could have propelled his business forward.

Regret hit him like a wave. It was too late to take it back. The investor had already moved on to another startup. That moment changed everything for Mason.

The Rule That Transformed His Life

Mason knew he had to create a system to prevent himself from making rash decisions in the future. That’s when he developed his golden rule:

Never make decisions based on temporary feelings.

Whether he was angry, frustrated, overly excited, or fearful, he committed to never making a big decision in the heat of the moment. Instead, he would:

Wait 24 hours before responding to anything important.

Write down the pros and cons to remove emotions from the equation.

Talk to a trusted mentor for an objective perspective.

Re-evaluate his feelings after calming down.

This simple rule changed everything.

Testing His Rule in Real Life

A few months later, Mason’s rule was put to the test. His business had finally started gaining traction. More freelancers were signing up, and he was making enough money to sustain himself.

One day, he received an email from a competitor who wanted to buy him out. The offer was generous... more money than Mason had ever seen. His first reaction was excitement. He could take the money, pay off his debts, and relax.

For a brief moment, he considered saying yes. But then he remembered his rule.

Instead of replying immediately, he gave himself time to think. He wrote down the pros and cons. Selling now would give him financial relief, but it would also mean giving up on his dream before it truly took off.

He spoke with his mentor, who reminded him why he started in the first place. “Mason, you didn’t build this just for a paycheck. You built this to create something meaningful.”

After 24 hours, Mason made his decision... he wasn’t selling. Instead, he doubled down, improved the platform, and worked harder than ever.

The Long-Term Win

Two years later, Mason’s business was no longer just a small startup. It had grown into a leading platform for creative freelancers worldwide. The same competitor that had once tried to buy him out was now struggling to keep up with him.

Mason looked back at the moment he almost sold everything. If he had made that decision in the heat of the moment, his future would have looked completely different.

Now, he shares his rule with others:

“Your emotions are powerful, but they shouldn’t be the ones making the decisions. Step back. Think. Then decide.”

And that’s how Mason turned one painful mistake into a lifelong principle that led him to success.