A simple rule for making decisions you won’t regret

Read time: 3 minutes

Yesterday, I met a friend for coffee. We chatted for 2 hours, but it felt like 10 minutes.

Don’t you love interactions like that?

As our conversation weaved between topics, he shared a story with me about how he’s backing out of a business investment he made, because although it’s going well, it doesn’t align with his values—and it’s turned into a project he no longer wants his name attached to.

I was both shocked and impressed.

Saying no to extra income every month is never an easy decision.

But I understood, and I could immediately relate.

Late last year, I was offered a seemingly perfect opportunity.

A chance to earn some extra income with a low-effort gig—hosting someone else’s YouTube channel. They’d handle the scripting, the editing, the direction. All I had to do was show up and hit record.

Sounds easy, right?

But as I read over the email, studied the company, and sat with this invitation to audition, something felt off.

It didn’t align with where I was heading.

It didn’t reflect the kind of work I want my name attached to.

And even though the money was appealing, the opportunity itself didn’t feel true to who I am or what I stand for.

So I said no.

Now, as we sat tucked in the back of the coffee shop, passing our experiences across the table, I was brought back to that decision I made—not because it was dramatic or impressive—but because it reminded me of a simple rule I’ve learned to live by:

If it costs me my values, it’s too expensive.

A simple rule, but an effective one.

When “More” isn’t worth it

If you’re ambitious—if you care about growth and building something meaningful—it’s easy to start compromising in small ways for the sake of “more.”

More money.

More attention.

More recognition.

More opportunity.

But here’s the problem: every time you say yes to something that feels misaligned—even just a little—you trade away something you don’t always get back right away:

• Your self-trust
• Your peace of mind
• Your clarity
• Your energy
• Your direction

And those trades rarely feel worth it in hindsight.

You don’t always notice it right away, but the cost adds up.

You stop feeling like yourself.

You start second-guessing every choice.

You say yes because you should, not because you want to.

You build a version of success that doesn’t feel like yours.

Is that making sense?

Now, between the foot traffic in the cafe and the barista chiming in to let me know they messed up my sandwich order, I forgot to ask my friend this question—so I’ll write it here.

What values are being compromised in this moment for you?

For me? My answer to this question is anchored to integrity.

But what does integrity look like in practice—not just as a word?

You see, that YouTube offer was a moment of clarity for me, because I could feel the drift happening before it did.

And I knew if I said yes, it would be out of convenience, not conviction.

That’s what integrity really is—not just doing what’s right, but doing what’s true.

Even when it’s subtle.

Even when it’s inconvenient.

Even when the world claps for the opposite choice.

And here’s the wild part: no one would’ve blamed me for saying yes.

But I would’ve blamed myself.

So what does this mean for you?

It means the next time you’re facing a shiny opportunity—one that promises more but costs you alignment—pause and ask:

Is this moving me closer to who I want to be, or slowly pulling me away?

If it’s the latter, even by just a few degrees, that’s worth paying attention to.

Now this isn’t about being rigid or idealistic.

It’s about defining your non-negotiables.

So that when more shows up, you don’t have to wrestle every time—you just follow your compass.

Here’s my challenge for you this week my friend:

Before you say yes to the next thing—pause.

Ask yourself:

If I say yes to this, what am I saying no to?

And is it worth the cost?