Sometimes, in life, we encounter challenging situations where we are forced to choose between two competing options that look equally attractive. We feel conflicted about the choices. We get worried-“what if I get the decision horribly wrong.”
Many friends often ask me if I have any specific heuristic that I use to help me make the tough calls.
In the past, I have written about a decision-making heuristic that says
“If You Are Not Sure, The Answer Is NO.” But, how does one decide whether they are sure or not sure? Today, I wanted to share a simple technique I use to help me make the choice that my intellect is unable to come to terms with.
The technique involves flipping a coin but with an interesting twist.
I don’t use the coin flip to make the decision that could potentially determine my fate. Instead, I use the coin flip to check how I “feel” when the result is revealed. Do I feel relieved or disappointed/uneasy? I pay attention to what goes in my mind in that instant when the coin flip reveals the choice. Is there a sense of relief that the decision is made, or is there a gnawing unease that is saying, ” I wish the coin flip went the other way!!”
This split-second feedback that comes after flipping a coin tells me how I really feel at a subconscious level and helps me point to the right decision. If I feel relieved or indifferent, I go with the choice the coin flip indicates. If I sense anxiety or unease, I know that I am not sure, and therefore I don’t make the decision the coin flip suggests I should go with.