A Surprising Way to Make Better Decisions

[Joshua Michael Hauman]

We all face difficult decisions where the best option isn't clear. Your mind races as you worry about what to do, uncertain what path to take. Desiring to act but anxious you may make a mistake.

Have you considered flipping a coin?

I know, I know - how could leaving our fate to chance possibly help us make better choices?

This isn't your ordinary coin flip.

The solution to analysis paralysis is definitive clarity. The coin flip example asks you to first clarify the two sides of your decision. If it's between Option A and Option B, assign heads to A and tails to B. Then, flip the coin.

If the coin lands on A and your heart sinks, then B is likely the better choice, even though the coin said otherwise. Vice versa, the same is true. Our inner voice holds wisdom that our conscious logic tends to miss. A simple coin flip allows that inner voice, that intuition to speak up and guide us more clearly.

But what if neither result feels right? Then it's time to step back from the decision entirely. Don't do A or B - sit with your options again with fresh eyes.

Research shows we often trust our reasoning too much, when in fact our senses provide a distorted view of reality. In the noisy rush of life, we fail to listen to our quiet inner voice of intuition. The coin flip technique forces you to tune in to that inner wisdom when it matters most.

So the next time you're faced with a difficult fork in the road, give this technique a try. The answer may surprise you. You just might make the choice you secretly knew was right all along.

With Discipline,

Josh