Some effects in our lives are multiplied by the long term we live.  When we think of fitness, smoking, staying within a budget, and over-eating we have a hard time remembering that some of the effects will be felt day after day for the rest of our long lives.

We eat a delicious dessert and are completely aware of the pleasure we get.  But we are dimly, or not at all, aware of what obesity will do to us, because evolution and culture have never before had to deal with the long lives we now have.

Some choices have no long-term consequences.  For those that do, stop and consider those consequences, as well as the short term.