If Risk is the Fire, Decision is the Spark
Some people are wired for boldness. Others play it safe. But what if risk isn't the real variable—decision-making is?
Every decision sets something in motion.
It can spark a chain of events shaped by uncertainty and unexpected outcomes.
Learning to make better decisions isn’t about removing the unknown — it's about building the tools and mindset to face it with clarity.
This week, we explore the moment before action — that split second when a choice is made and the path ahead changes.
Whether it’s a well-thought-out move or a quick gut call, it's the decision that lights the fire.
Because if risk is the fire, then decision is the spark.
What kind of fire are you starting?
Curated Ideas — The Spark behind the Risk
The Science of the Gut Feeling / Ben R. Newell and David R. Shanks
We make decisions before we realize we’ve made them. This article challenges the conscious deliberation myth and explores the science behind instinctive choices.
→ Source: MIT Press – Unconscious Decision-Making
The Hidden Influence of "Default Options" / Dan Ariely
We think we choose freely — but defaults guide us more than we know. Behavioral economist Dan Ariely explains why structure beats logic.
→ Source: YouTube – Are we in control of our own decisions? (17 min)
How to Make Hard Choices / Ruth Chang
Hard choices aren’t hard because of lack of information — they’re hard because they challenge who we are. Ruth Chang offers a radical shift: make reasons for yourself, don’t find them.
→ Source: TED Talk – Ruth Chang (14 min)
Reflection
Looking back, we often see things more clearly.
Think of one bold decision you made in the past year.
Now ask yourself:Was it the risk itself…
or the way you made the decision
that shaped the outcome?
Coming Next Week
The fire doesn't end with the spark.
A single decision may start the blaze, but what keeps it alive is the fuel we feed it:
new ideas, habits, and actions that help it grow without burning us out.
Next week, we’ll explore what it means to feed that fire wisely — how to choose the right fuel for your project’s or personal growth, not someone else’s.
Until then:
🔥 Light with intention.
🔥 Act with clarity.
🔥 And stay curious.