The 4-Step Formula That Will Revolutionize Your Decision Making

How to Score Goals with Your Unconscious Mind

The Decision-Making Dilemma

Imagine you're a soccer player, and you're about to take a penalty kick. The goalkeeper is dancing on the line, the crowd is roaring, and the pressure is on. Do you aim left, right, or straight down the middle? This is the kind of high-stakes decision that can make or break a game. But what if I told you that the secret to making the right choice might lie in not thinking about it at all?

The Science Behind the Strategy

In 2011, Dutch psychologist Ap Dijksterhuis and his colleagues conducted a fascinating experiment. Participants were asked to choose the best apartment from twelve options, each with a mix of positive and negative features. The results were surprising. Participants who had to make an immediate decision chose the best option only 15% of the time. Those who had four minutes to consciously contemplate each apartment did better, choosing the best option 29% of the time.

But here's the kicker. Participants distracted with a word puzzle after receiving the apartment information also chose the best apartment 30% of the time. And those who spent two minutes consciously contemplating each apartment, followed by a two-minute distraction period, chose the best apartment a whopping 58% of the time.

The Four-Step Formula

This experiment reveals a powerful strategy for decision-making: flexibly using both conscious and unconscious thinking.

Here's a simple four-step formula:

1. Mindful Contemplation: Spend a small amount of time consciously contemplating the situation. This is when you gather information, weigh the pros and cons, and consider your options. For example, if you're deciding on the perfect destination for a romantic getaway, this might involve researching exotic locations, reading reviews of luxury resorts, and reflecting on your partner's interests and shared desires.

2. Pause: Once you've done your initial analysis, stop. This might seem counterintuitive, but it's a crucial step. It's like taking a half-time break in a soccer match, giving your mind a chance to rest and regroup.

3. Distraction: Engage in an unrelated activity. This serves as an incubation period, allowing your unconscious mind to process the information you've gathered. This could be anything from a triceps workout, playing pickleball,¹ or reading an essay by David Foster Wallace on why cruise ships suck.²

4. Decision: After the distraction period, make a decision. Trust that your mind did the work, both consciously and unconsciously.³ You might find that the best choice seems to 'pop' into your mind, or that you feel a gut instinct towards one option. Great, now you are someone who appreciates rational thinking AND intuition.

The Power of Unconscious Thinking

Harnessing the power of unconscious thinking can lead to decisions that are not only more satisfying but effective. It's a secret weapon in our decision-making toolkit, one that allows us to navigate the uncertainties of life with a bit more ease and a lot more confidence.

Consider buying a car (click here for even more advice). You've done your research, test-driven a few models, and weighed the pros and cons. Now, instead of obsessing over the details, you take a break. Take an outdoor shower, watch a Korean zombie movie, or experience flow with an adult coloring book.⁴ Let your unconscious mind do the heavy lifting. When you come back to the decision, you might find that the right choice seems to 'pop' into your mind.

This isn't just a formula for decision-making. It's about learning to trust ourselves, value our instincts, and embrace our unconscious intelligence and creativity. When we account for the wide range of powers in our possession, something amazing happens. We don't just make better decisions. We become better decision-makers.

Imagine you're contemplating a career change. You've weighed the pros and cons, considered options, and now you're stuck. Instead of agonizing over the decision, you take a break. When you return to the decision, you might find that your unconscious mind has already made the choice for you. Will you listen? Or try to override it with that highly educated overconfidence?

Provocations

Are you ready to give your unconscious mind a seat at the decision-making table? How might this four-step formula change the way you approach decisions in your life?

Consider a decision you're currently facing. Maybe it's choosing a romantic partner, deciding whether to stay at your job or leave, or choosing a response to someone who wronged you. How could you apply this formula to your decision-making process? And how might your life change if you trusted your unconscious mind a little more?

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Read Past Issues Here Including:

1. Never underestimate the intelligence, agility, and concentration of kids.

2. My desert island book is Infinite Jest. If you haven’t read it, this might be the most valuable lesson in this newsletter.

3. You might notice shades of cognitive defusion strategies here - treating your mind like an entity, something that gives advice, but is not part of you. For tons more, check out the tools in Chapter 6 - Mental Fortitude for dealing with detractors and barriers to important life goals.

4. So many cool options for coloring books. Do not underestimate doing practically nothing on a tree stump.