Psychology and Decision Making: Understanding Feelings Versus Decisions

"Feelings are temporary; decisions are permanent." This profound statement is one that psychologists often use to describe how our decisions can be much more powerful than our feelings. But what does it really mean? How can we ensure that our decisions, even those made with strong emotions, will result in better outcomes down the line?

To answer this question, we must first understand the important role that psychology plays in influencing our decisions. The way we perceive the world and the way we interact with it are both heavily impacted by psychological factors. As such, understanding psychological concepts such as perception and decision making can help us be more mindful of how we make choices – and how our feelings might be affecting them.

Perception plays a key role in both our feelings and our decisions. What we perceive to be true or false about a situation often determines how we feel about it and how we decide to act on it. For example, if you see someone speaking in an angry manner, you might feel fear or anger yourself before you had the chance to really consider their words. Similarly, if you perceive a job opportunity to be too risky or unappealing, you may decide not to pursue it without ever learning the full details.

It is essential to remember that feelings are fleeting – they come and go – but decisions tend to remain and have long-term consequences. Therefore, it is important to exercise mindfulness when making decisions. Take a few moments to think about what could possibly go wrong and make sure to weigh out all potential options and outcomes. Make sure that any decision being made is done so from an unbiased perspective and with rational consideration of the facts and potential implications. Rather than acting purely on feeling, take the time to critically evaluate all of the information available before coming to a conclusion.

When it comes to weighing out our decisions versus our feelings, there are a few tips that can be helpful for achieving balance. One approach is to allow ourselves some time after first experiencing a feeling in order to fully dissect it before making a related decision. Taking a step back and giving ourselves a few moments before acting on strong emotions can give us the clarity needed to make a more informed choice.

Another factor to consider is our standards and values. Before jumping in with how we are feeling, asking ourselves questions such as "does this fit in with my values?" or "is this in line with my standards?" can help lead us towards the best decision. it will help us stay focused on our highest priority when trying to reach that final outcome.

Psychology plays a big role in helping us understand where our feelings and decisions intersect. While our feelings may be fleeting, it is important to remember that our decisions will have lasting consequences. Therefore, it is essential to always make sure that we are making decisions for the right reasons – taking measurable steps towards objective goals rather than acting aimlessly on impulse.