I often catch myself weighing what’s in front of me against what could be. Coming back to the moment—and choosing what’s real—is a practice.

The choice might be between a job opportunity and the possibility of traveling with friends. Just as I decide to fly out for an interview, I hear from friends who might be nearby. And my mind drifts to how great it would be to see them.

But there are no concrete plans. One is a real opportunity—a confirmed interview. The other is just the chance of something happening. No guarantee.

The choice isn’t always obvious. But I’ve found this to be true: betting on a vague future is speculative. Commitment—an actual plan—is worth betting on. Otherwise, you risk giving up something real for an option that never happens.

Choose what’s present over what’s possible.

That said, it’s not always so clear-cut. There are whole markets built on buying and selling options—on predicting future value. Sometimes, with the right information, betting on possibility makes sense.

But when it comes to choices in our own lives, we have to ask: are we comparing things that even belong in the same category? Is missing a job interview worth it for the chance to see someone? Maybe—if the job’s not that exciting, or the potential connection matters more.

The point is: choose your options with care. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

Chasing something uncertain often costs more than choosing what’s already here.