Decisions

The Psychology of Decision Making: Instinct, Procrastination and the Art of Good Decision Making

Good decision-making depends on a balance of rational judgement and intuition. Our decisions are influenced by our age, experience, the weight of responsibility and fear of failure, which often leads to procrastination. This article will help you understand the drivers behind your decisions and give you practical advice to help you take control of your life with more confidence.

Instinct vs. Rationality: how do we decide at different stages of life?

Our choices are like our wardrobe: there’s the safe, “tried and tested” (the little black dress) and there’s the bold but risky new one (the sequin piece we never wore). Which one we choose depends a lot on our stage in life.

• As a teenager: at the gateway to first love or a big opportunity, we make quick, instinctive decisions. We are less afraid of making mistakes and our instincts dominate because of our lack of experience.
• As an adult: we are more cautious when choosing a partner, buying a house or running a business campaign. We have more to lose, more responsibilities, so we tend to think long and hard, make pro- and con-lists and consider all the possibilities. Our experience is both a help and a hindrance: we recognise patterns, but we are perhaps less daring to act intuitively.

Why are we delaying decisions? The Fear of Losing

Procrastination is often motivated by responsibility and fear of losing. The more we have to lose – time, money, relationships, reputation – the harder it is to resolve to act. As adults, we are not just putting our own skin in the game; a bad decision can affect our families, our colleagues, our whole lives. This pressure can be crippling and can lead us to choose not to make a decision just to avoid the potential negative consequences.

The Law of Reason: Is the Decision Really in Our Hands?

In The Matrix, the character Merovingi says that the right to choose is an illusion because the world is governed by the law of causality. Every action we take is a necessary consequence of a previous event.

• What does this mean in practice? Before you feel anxious about a big decision (e.g. a job change, a move), it’s worth looking for the starting point, the real reason that triggered the need for change. It may be that you’re not dwelling on the decision, but that you haven’t yet faced the underlying problem that led to the situation.

When to listen to your instincts? The Power of Quick Decisions

There are situations when there is no time to think – you have to act now. When the ground is hot under our feet (for example, when we have to jerk the steering wheel in the car), our instincts take over.

These moments are precious because:

• They turn off external noise: You don’t care what others say.
• They reveal your true will: your brain processes information the fastest and reacts according to your deepest, most honest nature.
• They reveal your inner strength: an instinctive decision often gives access to a hidden wisdom that goes beyond rational limits.

Practical Tips for More Effective Decision Making

How can you learn from your decisions and make better ones in the future? Here are some key principles:

1. Don’t be afraid to make a mistake! Every bad decision is a valuable lesson and a step in the right direction. As an adult, we are allowed to make mistakes.
2. Trust your Instincts, but also Consider! Find the balance between your intuition and rational analysis. Listen to what your heart tells you, but also compare it with the facts.
3. Recognise the Reasons! As the principle of causality suggests, there is always a cause behind a decision situation. Once you understand this, the decision becomes easier.
4. Know that No Decision is a Decision! To procrastinate and avoid action is also a choice – to let events or others control your life. It’s a choice to ‘business as usual’.

The Most Important Decision: that you Decide

In the end, our choices define us. By making a conscious choice – whether it’s a piece of clothing or a career path – you take control. Don’t wait for life to decide for you, because you might not like it. The most important thing is that your choices are in line with your will, your goals and your happiness. That way you can say in the end, “I lived my life.”

Frequently Asked Questions about Decision Making

What is the difference between an instinctive and a rational decision? An instinctive decision is a quick, emotional one, based on the unconscious processing of past experiences. A rational decision is a slower, logical process of consciously weighing up alternatives, pros and cons.

How does the pro-con list help you make decisions? The pro-con list helps you structure your thoughts and visually display the arguments for and against a decision. This supports rational decision-making and can reduce emotional biases.

Take Control of Your Decisions, Take Control of Your Business!

Every day, a business leader makes strategic decisions. These choices determine the future of the business.

Aletta

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