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Indigo cantor

commander in chief, Satori International

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What ingredients do you put into making a CHOICE / DECISION?

When faced with choices in life, decisions- How do you go about making that Choice, is it a moral compass? Is it weighing out the pros and Cons? Desecting the possible end results?

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Topics: Choosing Decision Rules of Brain; brain activity choice critical thinking decision
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  • Gretchen Yoes

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    Oct 3 2011: Partially, decisions are made around our subconscious shortcuts (look at marketing strategy and Wal-Mart). I personally look at the pros and cons, what effect this will have and on what/whom, whether the possible outcome is desirable. Does the end result make sense?

    For example, if someone has a discussion about making choices ;-), I weighed the pros (my voice will be heard and possibly taken seriously) against the cons (typing out the response will take some time and require me to think and I might get trolled). There may be an effect and there may not be any at all. A possible outcome is that someone might decide to take a look at my profile and either like or dislike the interests that I have and respond accordingly. Sure, I might be wasting my time with an answer to someone that is simply trolling the internet but to others this might be just the type of insight into the human psyche that they needed.

    Another example might be ordering from McDonald's vs ordering from Subway. I'm on a diet and know that Subway is a far better choice than McDonald's as far as getting vegetable servings and a sandwich that's made right in front of me with less saturated fat and sodium, but I wouldn't want to order a double-meat cold cut combo footlong and a bag of Cheetos vs. a salad from McD's. That just doesn't make sense to someone that's on a diet.

    I hope this answers your question. Have your day however you want it. It is, after all, YOUR day, your decision.

  • Chris Tasber

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    Oct 2 2011: Isn't morality and the possible results really just pros and cons. You simply look into the question and value the pros and cons if pros wins out you make that choice
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    Craig Patterson 10+

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    Oct 2 2011: "It's only with the heart
    that one can see clearly.
    What's essential
    is invisible to the eye"

    the fox
    from the little prince

  • PATRICK MUDAU

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    Sep 27 2011: we made choices everyday, some of them we regret later, but that how life it is, that how we grow.

  • William Raley

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    Sep 26 2011: The brain evolved around the function of decision making. Most decisions are made unconsciously, such as bodily regulator functions. Many decisions are made semi-consciously but automatically, such as reflexes and muscle memory. More difficult decisions, which involve weighing a variety of factors, are the reason that the consciousness evolved. The brain observes the environment around it, the environment is then filtered and processed through the brain's hard wiring, and then displayed in the consciousness, which basically acts as a desktop that mediates higher level interaction between the nervous system and the environment. The brain acts a sponge, developing concepts out of stimulus, and then processing all further stimulus based on prior knowledge. When we are born our brain seeks out a platform on which to base it's decisions, this is why young children are very trusting, why they can learn language faster. This is why people brought up in different cultures have different beliefs and would make different decisions in the same situations. Beliefs within cultures can never be exactly homogeneous, because no two persons can every experience the exact same reality, and outside influences also have an effect. However, all humans live out a somewhat similar life experience, and so the societal norms that each community lives by all share common characteristics. This is increasingly true because of the globalization of instant communication. A world culture is forming... Sorry for that digression, let me get back on track. Free will is somewhat of an enigma. On the one hand, since our psychology is a slave to the interplay of environmental influences and our physiology, the choice is never a free one. On the other hand however, the human mind cannot every completely accept that free will does not exist in some form. I know I can't. My advise: tweak your environment to insure the greatest possible input. Then you can make the most informed decisions. I'm out of space

  • alaa dief

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    Sep 25 2011: I think It's simply about following ur heart... it's a choice between fear and love.. that's all what matters...
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    Luigi Vampa

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    Sep 24 2011: Commander Indigo

    Common sense, intuition, sensibility, love, compassion, empathy and action.

  • mas karyo

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    Sep 24 2011: idealism
    I am what i am. No matter what poeple think about.

  • Robert Galway 20+

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    Sep 24 2011: Short answer is that it depends on many circumstaces, such as Risk, time available to think, information/evidence available, knowledge of subject, etc.

    However, in general, I usually make important decisions based on some long range general plan, personal decision based on practicality, comfort,and aesthetics (in that order), professional decisions based on knowledge of subject and conformance to laws o physics and good design practice, parenting decision based on what I think will best serve the long term needs of the child, and consumer decision based on cost, practicality, and often the amount of hedonistic pleasure I can get for my dollar.
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    Thadeus Frei

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    Sep 24 2011: Tension arises when you are chasing something, and relaxation comes when you are allowing something. You don't really have to make a decision, when a situation emerges you will know what is most natural for you. If you don't it means you are not in touch with your self. A stream does not choose it's path, it goes along with the terrain and as time goes on it carves its path with an undeniable certainty.

  • Nikhil Shinde

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    Sep 24 2011: Many Other said About there choice but Wat I feel is
    When we take more time in making any correct decission,
    the correct decission is taken wrong !!
    So My Choice is to understand the scenerio and listen to My HEART !!

  • Mr Kebabsoup

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    Sep 22 2011: Wow answers and suggestions are flowing here! And I see that most of them are based on the hypothesis that you have a clear mind to measure things on the scale of moral standards, and you are also objective enough to be successfully rational.

    But I see two situations where these methods proposed here are hard to apply: The case where you know exactly what should be done but you don't want do it, and the case where you just want to do something but you know it's kinda wrong.

    Actually, most of the replies here only explain how to figure out the right decision to make. Now there's still another important step to do, and that is actually making that right decision.

  • Harvey Von Gunderman III

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    Sep 22 2011: I personally try to be as unbiased as possible, using logic and rational thought, deductive and inductive reasoning (Not so much on the inductive, but cases do arise), But most of all I force myself to make choices with moral binding, i was raised off of morals, from my family to martial arts, they are part of me now and i try to enforce them on myself, so with that being said, I make decisions/choices, using the information given to me, the information i already possess, and the deductive processes of both my mind and my heart, instincts are there for a reason right?
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    Mike Myatt

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    Sep 22 2011: I recently outlined a framework for decision making which can be found here: http://www.n2growth.com/blog/why-businesses-fail I hope these thoughts help.
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    Hetty Proudhonne

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    Sep 22 2011: I'm never utilitarian when making a decision and the end result is usually beyond my own reckoning, so I have to say that I fall back on my moral compass.
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    Indigo cantor

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    Sep 22 2011: :) I have been LOVING all this fabulous input!

  • Christopher Palm

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    Sep 22 2011: I would like to think one should have a life plan - super imposed onto this plan are your values and within that framework decisions need to be made that take you in the general direction of your life plan ((life mind map/vision) - my stop/go point is just before cementing the decision is to answer the question: Does this decision reflect and support my life's journey as defined above ...
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    Younus Ali

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    Sep 22 2011: Thanks to you Indigo Cantor :)

  • Lori Taylor-Schulte

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    Sep 20 2011: Will this make me a better person, and will doing this cause harm in any way.
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    Nina Briggs

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    Sep 20 2011: I focus on generating several varying options and play out as many risks and consequences as I can.
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    Scott Armstrong 50+

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    Sep 20 2011: Waiting till the last minute and then taking the easier option hasn't let me down yet. I let the universe decide for me. Failing that, I try to listen to my heart (ignoring the susurrance of cholesterol build up and disrhythmia).

  • Wayne Roberts

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    Sep 20 2011: Something I have used alot, especially when making a decision professionally is a system I call CADA.

    Collate all the relevant information that I need together. Analyse the information against the criteria that has been set. Decide, make the deciion based on the conclsions drawn. Act upon that decision. At this point, if I have correctly used all the information at my disposal then the decision is the right one and provides me with an audit trail of thinking, if needed to be jutified. Recently I have added another area and that is at the end which is Review. This is my get out clause that allows me to revisit the answer and amend if required to allow the new information to improve the efficiency of the process.

    If its a personal decision then I more often go with my heart rather than my head.
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      Natalie Van Veen

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      Oct 3 2011: I like your professional system and use it myself although never thought of it as an acronym :)

      Unfortunately in my personal life I tend to follow Anne of Green Gables and look for the loveliness in life which can lead to some impetuous decisions.
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    Sai Rajeshwari Gourishetty

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    Sep 20 2011: I use some natural and simple ingredients to make a sweet tough choice :

    1. handful of gut instinct
    2. pinch of goodness --> 99% of the time our instincts tell us what is good and bad
    3. for the color just try executing your decision the best possible way !!!
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    Younus Ali

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    Sep 20 2011: Is it beneficial to others as well, if yes then what more can be done better to expand it? :)
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    Kent Spencer 10+

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    Sep 17 2011: heart,mind,soul,past experience, gain-loss, possible outcomes

  • Mr Kebabsoup

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    Sep 16 2011: I read through some of the replies here and one thing strikes me: Most of the people tend to take important decisions on their own? For something important I would talk about it with my friends, collegues, family or people involved. I would also browse and ask for past similar experiences from other people.

    Of course idealy, we are smart people, we can think rationally, and take objective decisions. But reality is often different. Prejudices, fears, and doubts can cloud our judgement, sometimes we can just miss an aspect of the problem, or even lie to ourselves.

    If you have an important decision to make, don't make it alone!

  • jan kinner

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    Sep 16 2011: I try to use a rational approach
    1st - Understand what the problem is that forcing a decision to be made. Sometimes doing nothing is the best solution.
    2nd - Analyze the facts and issues, acknowledge emotions
    3rd - Rack and stack the alternatives based on pros and cons
    4th - Make decision, but keeping checking to determine if that was the right decision....sometimes you need a "do over"

  • Arathi P

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    Sep 15 2011: I choose based on priorities and situations. I don't care to take risks or lose something if that decision is worthy!!
    Though I take advice from others, ends up in following my heart ;-)
    So its purely based on the situations :)
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    Jacob Miller 10+

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    Sep 15 2011: One thing that has always helped me is asking someone older wiser and who might have dealt with the same situation at some point in their life.

  • Casandra Minetor

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    Sep 15 2011: I, personally, have always had a very strong and reliable "gut instinct" though I don't ever act solely on that.

    I put time and thought into big choices, yes considering the end result as well as my moral compass. Often (though i don't think it should) I am influenced by the reactions of the people around me. Sometimes, even if its the right thing to do, I will with hold from doing something I know will make others upset if it only truly effects myself.
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