43: It might not be a logical decision (at least not in the way that you think)
Sep 11, 2024
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Explore the intriguing balance between logic and emotion in decision-making. Personal stories and client examples unveil how intuition often guides us better than mere logic. Discover three surprising weaknesses of our logical thought processes. The conversation highlights the unexpected rationality behind what might seem like illogical choices. A must-listen for anyone skeptical about stepping away from purely logical reasoning.
Logical decision-making can be distorted by emotional biases, leading to choices that prioritize minor comforts over essential responsibilities.
Intuition, often viewed as non-logical, can provide a deeper, holistic perspective that may lead to surprisingly rational and beneficial decisions.
Deep dives
The Limitations of Logical Decision Making
Logical decision making often fails to appropriately weight the reasons behind choices, which can lead individuals astray. Decisions typically involve gathering all relevant reasons and assigning them importance, but people's emotional biases often distort this process. For example, someone might prioritize a minor comfort, such as a familiar place to eat, over crucial responsibilities like financial support for family, illustrating how emotional factors influence logical assessments. This misalignment can result in negative outcomes, such as burnout or missed job opportunities, due to decisions driven by a skewed sense of importance.
The Role of Intuition in Decision Making
When traditional logic falls short, intuition may offer a more balanced perspective on decision making. Intuition involves deeper mental processes that can connect past experiences and perceptions, helping individuals weigh options in a holistic manner. For many, intuition is not merely an abstract concept but a practical tool that highlights important factors that may have been overlooked by the conscious mind. This alternative approach can lead to surprisingly rational outcomes, such as recognizing the value of rest, which may ultimately facilitate better job performance and personal fulfillment.
Understanding Non-Logical Decisions
The assertion that some decisions may not be logical can be misleading, as what feels non-logical initially can reveal deeper rationality upon reflection. Clients often realize that decisions made from a place of intuition or personal values result in positive long-term effects, such as greater happiness or financial gain. For example, taking time off between jobs can initially seem irrational, yet it might lead to a more successful and satisfying career transition. Acknowledging non-logical thinking opens the door to a richer understanding of what drives meaningful choices in life.
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Navigating Personal Interests and Decision-Making Insights
Here’s something I’ve said to three different clients just this week:
It might not be a logical decision.
(At least not in the way that you think).
So, today, I want to expand on that a bit – I want to talk about three main weaknesses that our logical brain can have in some kinds of decision-making. Then, I’m going to talk about what we can consult instead.
And finally, I’m going to flesh out that second thing - “at least not in the way that you think.” Because there is a funny way in which non-logical decisions actually are more logical than we expect.
So if you are already tempted to not listen to this episode because you are on “team logic” - stick around, you might be surprised at where we end up. Given that I’ve said this to so many clients recently, I have a hunch that probably some of you out there, who are not my clients, need to hear it, too.