It is estimated that we make 33,000 to 35,000 decisions each day. If we parse out the conscious from the unconscious, the number of decisions we make would likely shrink down to double digits. If we narrow the scope further to only the most memorable decisions that number will likely drop to one or two. What makes them memorable are the variables like emotional intensity, information gathering, and internal struggle involved in arriving at those decisions. Despite accounting for less than 0.01% of the decisions we make these few decisions can drain our energy, sour a mood, or even carry influence beyond the immediate moment. This happens because we overcomplicate decision-making by ignoring our intuition. Reducing decisions to a binary question of if it is a “hell yes” or “no” strips away unnecessary complexity, and motivates us to trust our gut and act on it.
My mindset change
Early in my career, I over-indexed on an analytical thought process leaving me to undermine my intuition. I would stress about decisions and let myself spiral over hypotheticals. Many face the same inner struggle, but it didn’t seem to impact philosophers who have long recognized the accuracy of inherent wisdom over prolonged analysis. Taking a page from their book, I started to be deliberate with practice trusting leaning more into intuition, and being comfortable with outcomes regardless of whether or not they were positive. With time, I noticed more decisive action, clearer thinking, and more meaningful outcomes.
Making decisions binary
“Is it a hell yes or a no?” This simple binary questioning for decision-making captures the change in my process. Intentionally blunt and provocative, the phrase challenges you to have conviction and absolute clarity when decision-making. This self-trust removes stress, overthinking, and endless analysis to leave you committed to a decision. It was a liberating approach that ultimately outweighed the oppositional concerns about simplifying my decision-making practice.
Trust your intuition
While simple, it is not meant to be misconstrued as impulsive decision-making. It should be viewed as a deliberate time limit to reach a decision. Gaining perspectives and parsing fact from fiction is important for informed decision-making, for which this approach still applies. What it prevents you from doing is becoming trapped in the endless cycle of thoughts and influences that cloud your judgment away from your values and truths. By following your intuition, you cut through the noise, getting to the decision faster, while making it authentic and purposeful.
Change is evident
0.01%. A reminder from the start of this article that at the end of the day, our life is filled with endless decisions and possibilities which we can’t waste our time and energy dwelling on. Each day brings new decisions to be made and opportunities for growth and redirection. Regardless of whether a decision can be labeled as good or bad, no single choice defines us. We must continue to decide, learn, reflect, and move forward.