How we Make Healthy Decisions

I have been watching The Perfect Storm and up to the scene where the actors decides to continue fishing even though there were signs of danger and the crew were warned of the risk through verbal and visual form.  They were also advised that the best option was to  turn back home.  It made me think of the decisions we choose to make even though we are told of the risk and of the times we know our options but decide on the risk.  While studying financial planning I learned about risk tolerance and often use this concept in my work in psychology.  I look at my client's level of risk tolerance to help understand their decision making process.  I have also been interested in Daniel Kahneman and Dan Ariely's work on decision making.   Daniel Kahneman focuses on cognitive bias and how we need to manage both systems one and two.  System one is unconscious and if we don't think about our actions or choices enough we won't make rational decisions with systems two.  However Dan Ariley talks about emotions and how they often drive our decisions.  For example Dan Ariely in his book Predictably Irrational discusses the process he went through to buy a car.  Firstly he completed a questionnaire online to make a logical decision to buy the right car for him but then went back and altered his responses to suite his initial preference that he desired.  He said his heart and mind were in conflict.  How often do we go back into our thought process, fudge our memories to get the answer we prefer so it can match our feelings which often sits in our heart space.  Dan talks about going with our gut feelings rather than making long rational thought provoking choices.  He also says that sometimes we need to acknowledge how we feel and then make the rational choice that Daniel Kahneman mentions.  As in The Perfect Storm movie, the actors followed their desire to get what they needed and wanted.  The actor's decision created victory, hardship then loss. How many times do we do the same?  Only to find that the joy was a moment in time that ended up in grief and loss.

There are strategies we can follow to make the right choices.  One is to acknowledge how you feel and then step back to think about alternatives.  In your decision making process consider your feelings and include them in the pros and cons.  If you do make a rational choice and still find your feelings are pulling you in the risky direction you make decide to take the risk however also acknowledge the consequences.  

Think of a strategy when making a decision and develop a checklist.  A strategy can manage impulsive behaviour. For example you may look at the Worry Tree if an individual or have a strategic plan if an organisation. Decisions are usually best made with a group of people who agree and disagree with you as you need healthy conflict to reach an outcome and overcome cognitive bias. We are not always the best at acknowledging our own cognitive bias but in a group it can be challenged and reviewed.  Take time to consider your process and stay with your uncomfortable feelings if you are being challenged.  If you are using one anchor (piece of information) and think of an alternative one to challenge your thoughts and overcome the bias.   Be mindful that when you seek alternative viewpoints you are not unconsciously seeking people who share the same view as your own and following the herd.  Be open to listen to information that goes against your beliefs.  Remain respectful and realise that everyone has their own journey that may not align with your own.  Think of worst case scenarios.  Be ready to review your belief and that the choice you need to make may not be aligned with what you wanted.  Also be mindful that you will need to be detached of the outcome as success is not guaranteed.   Risk can be managed but not avoided. 

Making healthy decisions takes time and seeking information from sources that may challenge your beliefs require you to be aware of and manage cognitive dissonance.  Keep reviewing your decision making process to make healthier choices. 

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