The first instinct usually seems to be the right one, unlike writing where the first draft is always shit.
However, every decision I make goes through two basic questions; firstly, what's the worst possible outcome of this action, and what is the likelihood of this outcome? For example, how probable is it that you get hit by a car and die like a dumbass if you don't check the street both ways before crossing? Way higher than if you do. Better check those roads!
Secondly, what's future me going to think about what present me is choosing? So, when I'm about to order that large pizza on a Friday night, I'll think, "what's tomorrow me going to think? Probably 'way to go jackass! Now I'm so bloated I look five months pregnant.' "
It doesn't always work. The pizza often still gets ordered. But 80% of regrets are the choices we DON'T make. The way I see it, as adults we get the freedom to make our own bad decisions. As long as you get to make a choice, even a bad one, you still feel a measure control.
Isn't that the point of choice after all? To feel in command over your life?
Whenever I have an important decision to make, I am usually going with the reason. I also ask several people their advice on the matter before I do anything. There have been times where I will go with my gut; this mostly involves food.
I don’t usually go into things without having done my homework. My anxiety will not allow it, because I need to anticipate everything that could, possibly, go wrong.
There have been a few times where I used my gut. For instance, I was certain that I wanted to become a librarian. So, I made the decision to apply to graduate school online and go; with the hope that I’d get accepted.
The research for each university was a bit more detailed, but that was the one time that I can remember using my gut. I make gut decisions when deciding where I want to visit, then I plan out the vacation. I should just let the whims of life bring my forward, but everyone just gets angry at me when I try. The pressure of wanting to know what’s going on and when is part of the reason it happens this way.
My initial reaction is always gut. I’ve found over the years that is not always the best approach. Depending on the importance of the decision (what to order for dinner vs. should I apply for new jobs) is how I end up deciding. Reasoning through it generally allows me to include other people and many times that’s important.
The first instinct usually seems to be the right one, unlike writing where the first draft is always shit.
However, every decision I make goes through two basic questions; firstly, what's the worst possible outcome of this action, and what is the likelihood of this outcome? For example, how probable is it that you get hit by a car and die like a dumbass if you don't check the street both ways before crossing? Way higher than if you do. Better check those roads!
Secondly, what's future me going to think about what present me is choosing? So, when I'm about to order that large pizza on a Friday night, I'll think, "what's tomorrow me going to think? Probably 'way to go jackass! Now I'm so bloated I look five months pregnant.' "
It doesn't always work. The pizza often still gets ordered. But 80% of regrets are the choices we DON'T make. The way I see it, as adults we get the freedom to make our own bad decisions. As long as you get to make a choice, even a bad one, you still feel a measure control.
Isn't that the point of choice after all? To feel in command over your life?
Whenever I have an important decision to make, I am usually going with the reason. I also ask several people their advice on the matter before I do anything. There have been times where I will go with my gut; this mostly involves food.
I don’t usually go into things without having done my homework. My anxiety will not allow it, because I need to anticipate everything that could, possibly, go wrong.
There have been a few times where I used my gut. For instance, I was certain that I wanted to become a librarian. So, I made the decision to apply to graduate school online and go; with the hope that I’d get accepted.
The research for each university was a bit more detailed, but that was the one time that I can remember using my gut. I make gut decisions when deciding where I want to visit, then I plan out the vacation. I should just let the whims of life bring my forward, but everyone just gets angry at me when I try. The pressure of wanting to know what’s going on and when is part of the reason it happens this way.
When I was in my 20s, my gut. Nowadays, with reason. It's definitely not as fun, but I end up having my decision proven correct.
My initial reaction is always gut. I’ve found over the years that is not always the best approach. Depending on the importance of the decision (what to order for dinner vs. should I apply for new jobs) is how I end up deciding. Reasoning through it generally allows me to include other people and many times that’s important.