Treat Your First Thought as a Draft

Your initial reaction to something is often a reflex — shaped by recent experiences, current emotions, or ingrained habits, not by careful analysis. It's a starting point, not a conclusion. Give yourself permission to revise it before acting on it. Just as a writer doesn't publish a first draft, you don't have to commit to your first thought. Pausing even briefly to ask "Is this my considered view or just my first reaction?" can prevent a lot of regret.