Emotions Aren’t the Enemy of Good Decision-Making
hbr.org
Naming our feelings can help create a little space between our emotions and our actions. Gaining that distance allows us to examine the emotion, and to acknowledge feeling it, without letting the emotion drive the decision, replacing our conscious thought and agency. Consider your emotions as you co
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Summary
When faced with difficult decisions, many of us rush through them to avoid uncomfortable emotions. We worry that we make mistakes by relying too much on our gut or instinct. To make better decisions, we should take the time to identify our emotions and visualize our success. This process is called emotional bookending and helps us name and tolerate our emotions so that we can make the right decision with clarity and confidence. Consider the dominant emotion you are feeling when making a big decision.
Top Highlights
- Naming our feelings can help create a little space between our emotions and our actions. Gaining that distance allows us to examine the emotion, and to acknowledge feeling it, without letting the emotion drive the decision, replacing our conscious thought and agency.
- Consider your emotions as you contemplate making a big decision. What is the dominant emotion you are feeling? Is it fear? Anxiety? A sense of being overwhelmed or perhaps excitement at the opportunity ahead? Are your feelings based on previous experiences or other sources of information? Naming our feelings can help create a little space between ...
- When we’re trying to solve a thorny problem, we often have to sort through a lot of conflicting information — in addition to our feelings. So the first thing to do is to identify what decision you need to make.
- 3. Visualize your success and how it feels
- Imagine that you’ve made a successful decision. How do you feel now? Do you feel a sense of accomplishment or relief? Do you have a clearer direction for the future? Have you furthered your career, or perhaps strengthened your relationships?
Tags
Mental Models
emotion
Decision-Making
Decision Making
Psychology
Emotions
Human Brain
Life
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Toughts & Comments
Soumyadip Paul
When making a significant decision, it is essential to consider your emotions. Identify the dominant emotion you are experiencing, whether it is fear, anxiety, excitement, or feeling overwhelmed. Determine if your feelings are based on past experiences or other sources of information. Naming our emotions can create a gap between our emotions and ac...
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