At what point does delay become loss?
At what point does delay become loss? How to tell if waiting is wisdom—or self-sabotage Big picture framing We like to say we’re “waiting for the right moment,” but there’s a quiet tipping point where delay becomes loss : lost opportunities, momentum, and trust. The hard part is that this line is rarely marked; it’s more like a dimmer switch than an on/off button. In this article, we’ll unpack how to recognize when delay becomes loss in your work, relationships, and goals, and when long delays are not only okay but strategically essential. You’ll see how to weigh opportunity cost , when “loss” is actually a useful filter, and how to make cleaner calls about whether to pause or move. Why delay is not neutral We often treat delay as a “do nothing” option—safe, reversible, low risk. But delay is never neutral. Every time you wait, you’re trading: Option value – some choices expire or shrink over time. Momentum – energy decays; what feels easy now can feel heavy in a month...
