Test: are you a short-term thinker?

Do you want to know if you are a long-term thinker or a short-term thinker? By doing this test you get a rough indication of your tendencies. But beware, this is just a tool to get a general idea, so do not spend hours on it! First make a table like the picture above, and then read the following instructions.

Have a look at the four scenarios below. For every situation we would like you to state how (un)happy you would be if you were in this situation. The happiness scale goes from 0 (I couldn’t be sadder) to 10 (I couldn’t be more content!).

Scenario 1:

After the exams you take a look at your results. For the last month you have been working really hard, so you think you deserve a pass. And indeed: you passed three out of three exams! How happy would you be?

Write the number down in the top-left box of your table.

You’ve been out (to the pub, cinema) or you were hanging out at home. You had a great time, it was very enjoyable, although you should have been studying, according to you long term planning. How content would you be with this situation?

Write the number down in the bottom-right box of your table.

A friend invites you for a tempting evening out (to the pub, cinema). You decide to stay home to study (following your study planning). That night you are really studying hard! How content would you be about that night?

Write the number down in the bottom-left box of your table.

Last semester you’ve had a lot of fun, doing anything but studying… When you take a look at your exam results, it shows: You failed three out of three exams. How happy would you be in this situation?

Write the number down in the top-right box of your table.

Watch the video in the next step for the explanation. Make sure you have the table with your personal results at hand.