Life is all about decisions. The right choice can catapult you to great success, just as the wrong one can send you spiraling downward. So the question is, how do we take advantage of the power of logical reasoning or intuition to make better decisions?nnThe worst decisions we make are often impulsive. We give in to an urge, a wish, something suggested by advertising, or even pressure from friends. This type of decision, without reflection, often brings some degree of regret or dissatisfaction. To obtain a sense of fulfillment, we must make an effort to make our own decisions.n n Besides flipping a coin, the two most common approaches we all rely on to make decisions are very different—sometimes they are in agreement, but sometimes they can be radically apart. We can learn to develop and improve both these methods. Which system do you rely on more?nnThe Rational ApproachnnThis is a pragmatic and logical system that we must learn to use. It depends on (1) collecting concrete, objective, detailed information; (2) carefully analyzing and comparing it to previous experience; and (3) ranking or prioritizing the alternatives. This ultimately becomes the basis for a logical, rational judgment of what appears to be the best choice. This is a conscious and deliberate effort to make a decision. nnThe Intuitive ApproachnnThis is the original human radar system we are all born with. It depends on our subjective impressions that give us a “gut” feeling or some sort of psychic awareness that provides instant knowledge. This awareness cannot be explained logically but creates a strong positive or negative feeling to do something or not. Intuitive knowledge is not learned or intellectual. It is a spontaneous thought or feeling that may arise from the subconscious mind or some sort of internal radar we have to evaluate situations. n nThese two approaches are the usual ways we prepare to make decisions. The actual process of deciding is a deeper exercise of judgment, creating the intention and initiating the will to do something. Whether you listen to your logic or intuition, the choice you make is the one you trust will get you what you want. Understanding the following factors can give you the edge to make decisions easier.nnPredictability. Do you know what will happen? Guessing the consequences of our decisions falls on a continuum, from total uncertainty to great certainty, with a very wide middle zone, the “may be possible” category. nnSignificance. How big a deal is your decision? Each choice fits on a spectrum from unimportant all the way to extremely important. At the low end, consequences are neutral or reversible; they are just another experience. In the middle, the consequences are important; they may be costly emotionally or materially, with long-term effects, but these may be corrected. Critical decisions are usually life changing and irreversible, with serious consequences for better or worse. n n Alternatives. How many different choices can you find? The more alternatives, the greater flexibility for you to find the best choice. n n Being clear about what kind of question you are dealing with is the first step to making a better decision. If the intuition is in agreement with the rational approach, the decision is simple. When these two approaches are in conflict, then we have a new problem. Which system is better to follow—the intuitive or rational? The answer depends on the subject matter. n n The fact is that neither system is superior all the time. And despite their respective strengths, both methods can be wrong. That means the most rational person, who reviews every detail and comes to a rock solid logical conclusion he feels certain of, can be totally wrong. Similarly, the most intuitive person, who gets the strongest gut feeling about something, can be equally mistaken. If we cannot rely on either approach to be always right, then that suggests we try to use both systems to balance out any weaknesses. n n The advantage of having two very different systems is that each is better in different situations. Nobody wants to fly a plane built by intuition, nor should anyone get married based on a list of logical criteria alone. The point is that the rational approach is better for technical, mechanical, or electrical problems—building, designing, organizing, prioritizing agendas, verifying theories, and so on. Logic is excellent to deal with the hard facts, but it does not do as well with softer, human matters. The intuitive approach is better for dealing with the emotional life—relationships, family matters, art, music, career directions, and so on. Intuition is not meant to be analyzed, it just offers a very simple feeling—approach or avoid. n n Taking into consideration all the points above, here are some rules for making decisions that help us utilize the power of both approaches. Obviously, if you cannot gather any objective information, you must rely on your intuition. Conversely, if you have no intuitive sense about something, do everything possible to collect the objective facts to make a rational decision. In each case, be mindful of the type of question you are addressing. n n When a decision is not important, then the intuitive approach can be relied on first, followed by the rational one. When the consequences of a decision are very important, the rational approach should be relied on first, except if your intuition sends a strong warning, then you should heed the inner advice. However, if the intuitive message urges you to do something that goes against your rational conclusions, do not be impulsive, think long and hard before going forward. When facing significant problems, the rational approach should come first to isolate a few alternatives. Then your intuition can perhaps help you select the best choice. In general, the intuition is better at warning us about things to avoid than advising us about what to approach. n n Questions that are impossible to predict are handled better by our intuition because our internal radar may offer valuable subjective information. In matters where the results can be more accurately predicted, it is better to rely on the rational system and collect additional information until a clear answer becomes evident. When the probability is in the middle zone, with lots of possibilities, the best advice is to utilize both systems and perhaps split the difference. The ultimate measuring stick for making good decisions is to ask yourself, can you afford to make this mistake? That is, consider the options and calculate how much trouble might be caused if the choice you are making turns out to be wrong. n n Decisions can be tricky. Even if you are comfortable with your choice, it is wise to remain a bit skeptical, ponder the matter, and reflect about the objective facts as well as the intuitive feelings. Prudence in making decisions means not ignoring either source of information and not jumping to conclusions prematurely. However, do not delay making decisions either since it is always better to learn from your own decisions rather than wasting your life in a state of indecision. nn** This article is one of 101 great articles that were published in 101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life. To get complete details on “101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life”, visit
http://www.selfgrowth.com/greatways3.html n