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Big decisions are often made at the margin
Marginal thinking focuses on the benefit and cost of one additional unit.
The idea
The useful question is rarely “Is this good?” It is “Is one more hour, euro, or unit worth more than what it costs me?”
An example
The first hour of preparation may prevent major mistakes. The tenth may only polish details. Their value is not equal.
Put it into practice
When something is already good enough, judge the next increment—not the entire project.
Test yourself: Marginal thinking evaluates…
One additional unit of effort or cost
Yes. It asks whether the next unit is still worth what it costs.
Explanation and illustrative examples by One Card Wiser. Source linked for further reading.
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