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Nothing is ever as good as you dream it, nor as bad as you imagine it.

I’m a major-league catastrophizer. Just ask my wife. My default is to run through the absolute worst-case scenario and consider all the ways a situation could go wrong. I tell myself it’s “just being prepared,” but honestly, it’s rarely helpful. The worst-case scenario I envision never actually happens, and meanwhile, I’ve stressed myself (and everyone around me) to exhaustion.

You might lean the other way as the optimist who envisions the perfect outcome. I do this too: picturing the ideal relationship, the flawless vacation, the dream job, or the ideal project. But in the real world, nothing is perfect. Chasing perfection wastes energy and drains resources, leaving you frustrated and your organization overextended.

As the situation in Southern California is settling down, it is useful to take the time to understand how the military can be used in a domestic crisis. None of this is easy. Leaders are having to make decisions when none of the options are very good. They are having to choose what I call the “Least-Worst Option” and own it. Striking a balance between not being too impulsive nor being paralyzed is the goal: a timely decision that has a positive outcome. I know the pressure these leaders are under during any crisis. In this case, what adds even more pressure is the use of military assets on America’s streets. The background to making such decisions is not well understood by many. Let me try and briefly explain it so you can tell your friends.