We recently posted an article about how the constant influx and overload of information coming at each of us is restricting our brain’s ability for creative thinking. The brain thinks creatively only when it is in a bored, or non-stimulated state. Haven’t you had a brainstorm or solved a problem while taking a shower?
Our ability or inability to make good decisions is a direct result of how much information is being put into our brains. Have you ever tried to plan a vacation online, and been so overwhelmed by all the choices and decisions presented by Travelocity, Expedia, Priceline, Orbitz, Hipmunk, TripAdvisor and many more that you just decided to stay home?
A study from the Center for Neutral Decision Making at Temple University concluded that creative and good decisions bubble up from a quiet brain that is able to apply unconscious thought to the problem or decision.
Once you have limited the amount of information to only what is relevant, here are some suggestions and tips that might help to guide your unconscious thoughts:
- Identify the problem to be resolved, or the goal you wish to attain. It’s important to know what you really want. Do you want to switch careers, or just find a better employer? What’s motivating the need for a decision?
- Keep emotions at bay. If you are calm you will make a good decision. If you aren’t calm, postpone making the decision.
- As referenced above, get enough information, but not too much information. You want the information necessary to make the decision, but you do not want to be overwhelmed with extraneous stuff.
- Apply systematic logic. Weigh the risks vs. the gains. If you love charts, make a spreadsheet, or a list of pros and cons.
- Phone a friend. Use a couple of friends as sounding boards. Listen to their perspectives.
- Toss a coin. Really. This can bring your real desire to the fore. Pay attention to which side you hope the coin lands on.
- After you make a decision, before acting on it, see how well it’s sitting with your subconscious. For big decisions, you might wait for a couple of days before implementing your choice. Listen to your gut instincts.
- Finally, don’t panic and be unwilling to pick a lane because you’re afraid of making a mistake. Have a backup plan in case you make the wrong decision. Remember that decisions can be reversed.
Still can’t decide? No surprise, in 2015 there are apps to help you make decisions. There is Choicemap, free for iOS and easy to use. There is Decision Buddy Decision Maker, free for Android,that adds some extras to what Choicemap offers. It accommodates group decision-making. FYI Decision, free for iOS, has a rating system for the influencing factors you’ve entered about the decision like the other apps, but this app uses great charts and visuals.
