It just dawned on me. If you keep to doing nothing on the train, one day you can see "someone on their phone zooming with someone with a metro card in their mouth -- we expect you to yell BINGO
What a fascinating person! When I need to make an either/or decision, I just flip a coin. If I'm disappointed by the result, I do the other thing. It helps me make sense of how I'm feeling.
I loved this whole issue. (As I type this, I want to reassure you that I am, indeed, wearing pants). Twice in my life I've said these words out loud when confronted with an opportunity by a boss in a work situation. "I'll do the best thing but I need a bit of time to get there." Took me a month. Same with moving to California only that decision took me two years. I think I knew where I wanted to wind up or was willing to try but my insides needed to wrap themselves around it. The sensation was akin to getting out ahead of myself in one respect and allowing myself to catch up before committing.
I love it when people can help me think through a decision in concrete ways. What a fun interview. Of course, I immediately came up with a novel / novella idea around a person doing a job like this which is going to distract me the rest of the day if I decide to let it. :)
I think it's true it's easier to make a decision when we don't need to execute right away. There is deciding, and then there acting—related but separate things! Life is more fun when I'm not yanking myself around.
A friend introduced me to his novels, Tonya. He's not well known but his books are lovely and easy and fun but not fun-dumb. And most take place in NYC.
I started out with "Starting Out in the Evening" and then "Unbreakable You" and now I'm on to "Florence Gordon."
As an over-thinker and a maximizer who regrets every time I make an order at a restaurant, I feel like I could really benefit from this service. On the other hand, it's quite a bit of money, and I need that money to keep ordering entrees I don't like. If only I could have someone help me decide if it was worth it...
Rob, I was sort of mullling over whether I could pay her to decide for me whether or not to use the service, and if the answer was no, then somehow I might come out ahead? Confused.
"It's increased over the years, as I've gotten more experience and more clients. I think it's fair. It's hard to put a price on something like this. If I can save someone 20 hours or 50 hours of mulling a decision, $247 is very cheap. But for a lot of people, that's expensive. I feel like it's a good middle ground for a price, but it is hard to pick something like that."
She also noted that unlike a therapist who gets paid by a client week after week, she only charges the person once and then they're done—it's sort of a terrible business model. So that is another reason for what may be seen as a high rate.
3). Your therapist friend is going to wish he didn't say what he said. Or at the very least, he's going to wish you hadn't quoted him. Remind me not to book a session with him.
I am in awe of people like Nell who have the guts to start a business that is so unconventional and pretty much guaranteed to provoke raised eyebrows and critical comments, yet do it anyway. As long as it helps people, bravo! I have wanted to start several unconventional businesses for many years, but as a people-pleaser (slowly recovering now at age 63), I worried about what others would think. Hopefully it isn't too late to go forward with my offbeat plans, but perhaps I should consult Nell first? But then I would be seeking yet another opinion.... At any rate, great issue as usual, Anne! And I love Nell's name since it was also my mother's name, and she was a remarkable person.
Oh Jill if you want to tell us I am SO CURIOUS what your idea is! Or maybe better to keep it under wraps until you do. And then you 10000% have to let me know!
Thank you for your encouragement, Anne! My current idea is nothing earth-shattering and has been done in different ways before. I have had several ideas for businesses that I started on but then chickened out about, to my great disappointment. All involve getting out of my introverted comfort zone and being "seen." Maybe this one will actually move off the launch pad. I will definitely let you know when it does (almost said "if it does" but decided to be positive about it). And by the way, I am also in awe of you because part of what I would like to do involves interviewing people while just being myself, and you are my north star for that -- you appear to be fearless and truly interested in people, which is such a gift! How amazing it must be to know that you have brightened someone's day by shining the light on them.
Enjoyed this interview! Comments on the “why $247”. I have several takes on this. One, you remember it. Two, like pricing a house at $399,000 instead of $400,00, it just seems more attainable.
My guess, Lynn, is that when a number is that specific, I think it makes your brain think, "This is so specific, it must be very carefully thought out, and therefore it is rational and reasonable."
This reminds me of the show Shrinking where a therapist gets so frustrated he starts telling his patients what they should do (to mixed results- one ends up in prison)
It's not about this article, but, has anyone ever told you that they look at your name and the first thing they think of is, "Caffeine?" And then, do they read the column and go, "Yeah, that makes sense!"?
beige shorts - 78 in FL. Anne you've developed a seemingly uninteresting subject into a truly facinating read. thoughtful comments too
I shouldn't have doubted but that's why you ARE one of the "great ones"...Jackie G again Apartment 3-A 328 Chauncey St Brooklyn. Orson W came up with moniker (wells) for you two new yorkers
I had to look up 328 Chauncey Street, of course. I wonder who lives there now? Whoever it is, I'm sure they are tired of random folks like me stopping by to knock on the door...
I have had a life of making instant decisions fuelled, more often than not, by serendipity. And that is probably the secret of Nell Wulfhart’s success. People find her at the right moment. Angst is a cruel thing, so I avoid it. Maybe I would happily pay $247 to avoid it? I’ll let you know should I ever need to contact her.🐰
That is an interesting question you raise, O L O about how people find her. I am thinking, how could they unless they happened to be online, LOOKING for a decision making professional and hoping that such a thing exists!
"There's a lot of people in LA thinking about moving to New York, and people in New York thinking about moving to LA."
Perhaps she can open up another line of business by connecting these people for housing swaps.
Genius, Mr. Estrin!
Man inserting a MetroCard into his own mouth >> probably a chip card
Loved the interview. The questions were as funny / interesting at times as the answers
Thank you Mark!
Chip card--it took me a minute. Haha!
It just dawned on me. If you keep to doing nothing on the train, one day you can see "someone on their phone zooming with someone with a metro card in their mouth -- we expect you to yell BINGO
consider my feeble jokes a brain exercise :)
What a fascinating person! When I need to make an either/or decision, I just flip a coin. If I'm disappointed by the result, I do the other thing. It helps me make sense of how I'm feeling.
That is a great tactic, Justin—I've employed that myself. I think it works best for small decisions, like pizza vs cheeseburger.
Oh, absolutely. I wouldn't use it for, like, do I get a new car or do I quit my job.
I loved this whole issue. (As I type this, I want to reassure you that I am, indeed, wearing pants). Twice in my life I've said these words out loud when confronted with an opportunity by a boss in a work situation. "I'll do the best thing but I need a bit of time to get there." Took me a month. Same with moving to California only that decision took me two years. I think I knew where I wanted to wind up or was willing to try but my insides needed to wrap themselves around it. The sensation was akin to getting out ahead of myself in one respect and allowing myself to catch up before committing.
I love it when people can help me think through a decision in concrete ways. What a fun interview. Of course, I immediately came up with a novel / novella idea around a person doing a job like this which is going to distract me the rest of the day if I decide to let it. :)
So glad you are wearing pants, Elizabeth!
I think it's true it's easier to make a decision when we don't need to execute right away. There is deciding, and then there acting—related but separate things! Life is more fun when I'm not yanking myself around.
Looking forward to your novel!
I don't know who Brian is, but I wholeheartedly support his quote there at the end.
A friend introduced me to his novels, Tonya. He's not well known but his books are lovely and easy and fun but not fun-dumb. And most take place in NYC.
I started out with "Starting Out in the Evening" and then "Unbreakable You" and now I'm on to "Florence Gordon."
As an over-thinker and a maximizer who regrets every time I make an order at a restaurant, I feel like I could really benefit from this service. On the other hand, it's quite a bit of money, and I need that money to keep ordering entrees I don't like. If only I could have someone help me decide if it was worth it...
Rob, I was sort of mullling over whether I could pay her to decide for me whether or not to use the service, and if the answer was no, then somehow I might come out ahead? Confused.
This sounds like a plot line from Inception.
Great interview. How did she decide on a fee of $247?
I asked her that, David! Her response:
"It's increased over the years, as I've gotten more experience and more clients. I think it's fair. It's hard to put a price on something like this. If I can save someone 20 hours or 50 hours of mulling a decision, $247 is very cheap. But for a lot of people, that's expensive. I feel like it's a good middle ground for a price, but it is hard to pick something like that."
She also noted that unlike a therapist who gets paid by a client week after week, she only charges the person once and then they're done—it's sort of a terrible business model. So that is another reason for what may be seen as a high rate.
I thought it was fair but unusual for not being a round number.
It made me want to start a rival service priced at $246.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y5K3KsuQ_M
I thought 24/7
Makes sense!
Me too
Two four seven, tools good on the mouth. Plus the sum of 247 is 13 which is considered to be 🍀
Paolo Peralta I like the way you think!
1). Hi, I'm wearing pants.
2). Picayune---good one.
3). Your therapist friend is going to wish he didn't say what he said. Or at the very least, he's going to wish you hadn't quoted him. Remind me not to book a session with him.
1) Of course you are, BA!
2) Thank you! I love that in this newsletter I get to use as much or as little vocab with a capital V as I want and the readers will get it.
3) I love that my therapist friend says stuff like this, but I get what you mean...
I had to look “picayune” up! At 7:15 in the morning! How dare you.
I am in awe of people like Nell who have the guts to start a business that is so unconventional and pretty much guaranteed to provoke raised eyebrows and critical comments, yet do it anyway. As long as it helps people, bravo! I have wanted to start several unconventional businesses for many years, but as a people-pleaser (slowly recovering now at age 63), I worried about what others would think. Hopefully it isn't too late to go forward with my offbeat plans, but perhaps I should consult Nell first? But then I would be seeking yet another opinion.... At any rate, great issue as usual, Anne! And I love Nell's name since it was also my mother's name, and she was a remarkable person.
Oh Jill if you want to tell us I am SO CURIOUS what your idea is! Or maybe better to keep it under wraps until you do. And then you 10000% have to let me know!
Thank you for your encouragement, Anne! My current idea is nothing earth-shattering and has been done in different ways before. I have had several ideas for businesses that I started on but then chickened out about, to my great disappointment. All involve getting out of my introverted comfort zone and being "seen." Maybe this one will actually move off the launch pad. I will definitely let you know when it does (almost said "if it does" but decided to be positive about it). And by the way, I am also in awe of you because part of what I would like to do involves interviewing people while just being myself, and you are my north star for that -- you appear to be fearless and truly interested in people, which is such a gift! How amazing it must be to know that you have brightened someone's day by shining the light on them.
DO IT!!!!! I BELIEVE IN YOU, JILL!
Thank you, Courtney! So nice of you to say this! I really appreciate your support.
Enjoyed this interview! Comments on the “why $247”. I have several takes on this. One, you remember it. Two, like pricing a house at $399,000 instead of $400,00, it just seems more attainable.
My guess, Lynn, is that when a number is that specific, I think it makes your brain think, "This is so specific, it must be very carefully thought out, and therefore it is rational and reasonable."
I'm very curious what Nell's explanation will be!
This reminds me of the show Shrinking where a therapist gets so frustrated he starts telling his patients what they should do (to mixed results- one ends up in prison)
Haha that sounds about right, Molly!
It's not about this article, but, has anyone ever told you that they look at your name and the first thing they think of is, "Caffeine?" And then, do they read the column and go, "Yeah, that makes sense!"?
I would say my all my reporting writing is hyper caffeine-fueled, Chuck. Five cups a day, minimum. So maybe that comes across!
beige shorts - 78 in FL. Anne you've developed a seemingly uninteresting subject into a truly facinating read. thoughtful comments too
I shouldn't have doubted but that's why you ARE one of the "great ones"...Jackie G again Apartment 3-A 328 Chauncey St Brooklyn. Orson W came up with moniker (wells) for you two new yorkers
Aww thanks Shenval, that means a lot!
I had to look up 328 Chauncey Street, of course. I wonder who lives there now? Whoever it is, I'm sure they are tired of random folks like me stopping by to knock on the door...
I have had a life of making instant decisions fuelled, more often than not, by serendipity. And that is probably the secret of Nell Wulfhart’s success. People find her at the right moment. Angst is a cruel thing, so I avoid it. Maybe I would happily pay $247 to avoid it? I’ll let you know should I ever need to contact her.🐰
That is an interesting question you raise, O L O about how people find her. I am thinking, how could they unless they happened to be online, LOOKING for a decision making professional and hoping that such a thing exists!
I have had a life of making instant decisions fuelled, more often than not, by serendipity it. Angst is a cruel thing so I avoid it.
I’m tempted to sign up, I can’t decide if I am to spend more time on notes or on posts ❤️