Before you act, ask “and then what?” three times. Most bad moves die by the second one.

A bad decision usually looks fine for exactly one step. You send the message and it feels good, and the question is what happens after they read it. Pushing the chain out two or three links is enough to reach the part you were not picturing, which is where most of the regret is stored. The move does not survive its own consequences.

Use it on something you are tempted by this week. Say the first step out loud, then ask what follows, then ask again. If the third answer is one you would not choose on purpose, you have learned that early and for free.