Sometimes we feel compelled to take quick action when we should pause and reflect. The best course may be to buy time.

Maybe someone asks you a challenging question in an interview or other high-risk situation. Instead of immediately giving an answer, buy some time. You could ask for clarification or time to think about it. Being thoughtful is likely to give a good impression.

With big purchasing decisions, I rarely make a decision without sleeping on it. Sales people hate it and that reinforces my belief that it’s wise. Are decisions made under invented pressure likely to be the best you can make?

One of the best things you can do to remain safe while driving is buy time. Instead of always closing the distance to the car in front of you, leave extra space in case something goes wrong. An extra few seconds may be exactly what you need.

What do you do to buy time when quick action might make things worse?