Some decisions in life seem normal, inconsequential and risk free. And some of those decisions can set in action chains of consequences with life changing impacts. These are slippery slope decisions.
Gambling. Growing up in Australia gambling has become normalised. Online gambling has taken over and is a regular part of life. Particular for young males.
In Singapore though, online gambling is illegal and while gambling is popular it’s only allowed through official government channels.
The unfortunate reality is that for many people gambling is highly addictive. Early wins build up adrenalin and a feeling of invincibility. The following losses sting and there’s a need to win it back. Despite how illogical that statement is it’s impossible for some people to ignore. They borrow money, lying to friends and family about what the money is for. They lose again.
Those losses lead to borrowing from money lenders. It doesn’t really matter if they are licensed or unlicensed. The debt grows. It’s impossible to pay back. You’re now facing bankruptcy or broken legs.
And if you are in Singapore you might be de-ported from the country. With no money. With all the investments you’ve made to come here lost. With your chance to earn money lost. Bad decision after bad decision. It’s a slippery slope.
Marriage. It’s obviously a big decision for most men to propose. It was nerve wracking for me in a way that my wife still doesn’t understand.
And I don’t think we realise just how big it is when things go wrong.
The years that you invested in the relationship. Buying a house. Having children.
When all that goes south with a divorce it unravels and then goes backwards. If its acrimonious then lawyers win big. The hatred between the couple starts to tear each other apart. Children are impacted and the failed relationship echoes through their life and their decisions.
In so many countries laws have changed to make divorce more favourable to women. A man might lose his job and have to continue paying the amount calculated previously. He gets into debt. Debt becomes stifling. It’s a slippery slope.
The Next Decision. I’ve been enjoying this book Start With No by Jim Camp. It came as a recommendation from Chris Voss of Never Split the Difference fame. One of the ideas is that a negotiation never finishes. It’s just a set of endless decisions. And therefore it’s okay if we make bad ones. The real crime is following a bad decision with another one.
You always have time to course correct. To make a slightly better decision. To change your mind. Don’t reach the bottom of the slippery slope.