Emotional Versus Conscious Decision Making

Conscious Decisions making is based on logical reasoning. Emotional decision making is influenced by feelings and emotions.

Conscious decisions are made with the data we see or with data at hand. Knowing what is important to you and your needs, will help you make mindful decisions that test your perception and senses rather than the "way of the heart".

Emotional decisions are made when the matter to be solved seems to be urgent. When we deal with an urgent situation, we tend to not engage our full perception, but rather feel the need to make “binary” decisions based on opposite sides of the spectrum – *yes or no*.

Here are a few steps to be aware of to avoid emotional decisions:

1. Recognize the impulsive thoughts. This is triggered by our worries, obsession or needs we need to fulfill in the moment.

2. Are you Fantasizing? Instead of thinking of the consequences, we fantasize how fulfilling we will feel once the act is complete, not thinking of the consequence.

3. Are you searching for excuses? We will search for excuses, make new plans set new goals just to justify the "feel good" impulse.

4. Are you about to make a decision in a binary fashion? The answer often is yes or now and nothing in between.

There is only a good time to avoid engaging into that behaviour you will later regret, and that time is right now!

When you detect fantasizing, anticipating, and searching for excuses to do the act, it is time to say NO! This is your emotional brain trying to bargain.

Just say NO, allow time to pass and the obsession will pass!