How Emotions Influence Our Decision Making

Have you ever had that feeling in your gut—a sensation that tells you to proceed or not? This feeling, often likened to the experience of a rock or butterflies in the stomach, lets you know that you are making a decision based on an inner voice. Today, many individuals rely on their gut feeling, trusting their sixth sense to guide them away from risky situations. For over 40 years, I have adhered to one of my father's axioms: 'When faced with a difficult decision, just do what feels right.'

Emotions and Decision Making

Emotions have a profound impact on our decision-making process. Many times, we rush into decisions without thorough analysis, often relying on subjective feelings rather than factual data. However, when decisions are made from a place of emotion rather than logic, the risk of incorrect choices is minimized, as individuals can move on without regret if the outcome is unsatisfactory. This approach ensures that decisions are rooted in authentic feelings, potentially easing the burden of guilt and disappointment.

Unfortunately, emotions can frequently bias the decision-making process unless we are careful. Emotions are subjective states of mind, encompassing all our unchecked assumptions about the world. To avoid making poor decisions, it is crucial to stick to factual information and ensure that emotions do not influence critical choices.

The Thinking Process vs. Emotional Brain

Many individuals believe they are being rational in their decision-making processes, but their emotions often guide them first, with logic serving as a defense mechanism afterward. The process begins in the limbic brain, also known as the emotional brain, where we receive initial messages. These messages take a few seconds to reach the frontal neo cortex, or the thinking brain. When we meet someone, our emotions form an opinion of that person before our rational centers can make an informed decision. By the time the message reaches our thinking brain, we have already formed a bias from our emotional brain, reinforcing the adage that we only get one chance to make a first impression. Once formed, these impressions can change with thought but require significant effort to overcome.

By understanding how our emotions and the rapidness of the brain's processing can affect our judgments, we can make more mindful and informed decisions. While our gut feelings are powerful and essential, they should be balanced with logical analysis for the best outcomes.

Ultimately, the key to effective decision-making lies in acknowledging the influence of emotions while ensuring that rational thought holds sway in significant moments. By keeping these principles in mind, we can navigate life's challenges with clarity and confidence, guided by our inner compass and a thoughtful analysis of the available facts.