Be prudent; use forethought

Solomon wrote, “The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways.” “The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty” (Proverbs 22:3 NIV). “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty” (Proverbs 21:5 NIV). What you are today was determined by decisions you made in the past. If you want to change your future, learn to make better decisions. Let these ten principles guide you: (1) Never make permanent decisions based on temporary circumstances. If you do, when things change, you may regret it. (2) Don’t let your emotions blind you to reason. Pray, weigh things carefully, and base your decisions on mature judgment. (3) Surround yourself with sharp people, then draw on their gifts without being intimidated by their expertise. (4) Take time to consider all your options. What looks good to you today may not look so good tomorrow. (5) You can’t fight successfully on every front, so choose your battles carefully. Some things are not worth fighting for. (6) Take time to get all the facts; otherwise, you can end up in trouble. (7) Consider the consequences of each action. Ask yourself, “Am I ready to handle this right now?” (8) Make sure your expectations don’t exceed your potential and your resources. Focus on what God has gifted you to do, for that’s where you will succeed. (9) Time is your most valuable resource; use it wisely. (10) Never quit. Be willing to make mistakes, learn from them, and start over as often as necessary in order to succeed.