Recently, I posted about the skills and knowledge required to choose and acknowledge the best coach or therapist as you embark (or continue to embark) on a self-development journey. The number of factors that can influence your decisions are multiple and so, doing your due-diligence is vital in order to be able to put your best foot forward on the proverbial life-coach-choosing journey.
To put it clearly, this is a time of decision-fatigue. We have more access to knowledge and choices than any time in history. Anyone’s opinion goes and so, knowing which one to follow can be emotionally exhausting if not approached correctly. This means that similar to a restaurant, it can mean that panic ordering happens easily and can lead to walking out and not making a decision at all.
‘When you don’t know what to do, do nothing. Get quiet so you can hear the still, small voice—your inner GPS guiding you to true North’.– Oprah Winfrey
As always, when faced with a tricky decision, although we’re encouraged to make a decision and take action quickly, I would vouch that actually, pausing and allowing your true feelings to calm down means that you are more likely to make the best decision.
What’s the science behind it?
It’s all in our heads.
Cognitive psychology is the scientific study of mental processes such as “attention, language use, perception, problem-solving, memory, and thinking.” It provides a framework for understanding how people perceive, think, remember, and learn, which in turn helps us understand the psychological underpinnings of decision-making.
Understanding cognitive psychology can offer valuable insights into how decisions are made. It can help leaders become aware of the mental shortcuts and biases that often unconsciously influence the choices we make. For example, a leader might favor a course of action because it aligns with their pre-existing beliefs, not because it is necessarily the best choice. By understanding the cognitive processes that underlie decision-making, leaders can make choices that are more rational, fair, and effective.
- Recognise your patterns of decision making. Do you tend to make decisions quickly? Discuss with a load of people or sit on them for AGES? We all have go-to habits when it comes to making decisions and so, this means that we can assess if they are working for us or not. Journal on the last 3-4 decisions you’ve made – how did they go and were you happy with the outcome? Map out the patterns to understand the process.
- Know your biases. We all have biases, it normal and will enter our minds subconsciously in a number of situations. Cognitive biases could be confirmation bias, anchoring or overconfidence and these can skew our decision-making abilities. For example, confirmation bias can lead us to give preference to information that confirms our existing beliefs, thereby ignoring data that could lead to a more informed decision. Take note of these in order to mitigate their impact.
- As always, know your emotions. When you are dealing with a decision, it is important to check in with yourself regularly when it comes to your emotions. When anxious or overwhelmed, we will make an entirely different decision compared to when we are calm and focused. Know the difference and wait until you’re calm to take actions.
Decisions are apart of your every day life. Know yourself and how decision making works then, act accordingly.