How to Make Better Decisions - A Framework
How to Make Better Decisions - A Framework
The Hidden Power of Emotional Intelligence: Master Your Emotions for Smarter Decision-Making
I'm Manuel Saez, I write to help founders master emotional intelligence to make decisions with clarity and confidence 🌻 EQ coach, 2X-founder & award-winning designer ➜ I love fixing old motorcycles 🛵 🏍
Reading time: 5 min.
Contents:
A Framework for Decision-Making
- No Rushing Big Decisions
- Communicating Expectations for Decision-Making
- Using Emotions as a Decision-Making Barometer
- Recognizing Fear in Disguise
Practical Tips for Enhancing Emotional Intelligence in Decision-Making
- Create Space for Reflection
- Identify Emotional Triggers
- Leverage a Trusted Network for Feedback
- Examine Past Decisions
- Allow Flexibility Whenever Possible
On Making Decisions
Recently, I've been reflecting on how our decisions define our lives.
I may not fully subscribe to the multiverse theory, but I believe every decision we make creates a new universe. If you think about it, there is immense power in every decision.
Over the years, I’ve realized that great decision-making involves more than facts, logic, or data; it’s about tapping into our emotions. In fact, emotions are often the best guide when harnessed positively.
The advice “don’t make decisions when you’re emotional” is solid when emotions are uncontrolled. But when you are in harmony with yourself and can harness your emotions positively, emotions can be your best guide.
The quality of my decisions is directly related to the state of my mindset. When I’m in emotional harmony, my decisions lead to better outcomes.
Ultimately, emotional intelligence plays a crucial role in ensuring decisions are thoughtful and deliberate rather than reactive.
Here are some things I’ve learned about decision-making that may help—practical tips and strategies to guide you toward more confident, insightful decisions.
A Framework for Decision-Making
One of the most valuable lessons I've learned in business and life is the importance of not being rushed into making decisions.
Early in my career, I was pressured to decide quickly, fearing I'd miss opportunities.
That sense of urgency often led me to choose out of anxiety, not clarity. Now, I follow a framework that balances my emotional response with a logical approach.
Here are the principles that guide me:
1. No Rushing Big Decisions
Some decisions, especially those with lasting consequences that can't be undone, carry a greater sense of responsibility.
Whether it's a major business investment, a new partnership, or a significant life change, I give myself the space to weigh all perspectives.
Slowing down doesn't mean delaying—it's about creating room to connect with emotions and intuition beyond the facts. Deep reflection often reveals insights I hadn't considered.
This process eases the weight of the decision and brings peace, ensuring I'm in the right mindset to move forward.
2. Communicating Expectations for Decision-Making
While I've learned not to rush my own decisions, managing expectations with others is just as critical.
Whether working with a business partner or a client, clear communication about deadlines and decision-making timeframes helps to alleviate pressure on both sides.
When I'm waiting for someone else's decision, articulating the timeline reduces misunderstandings and ensures everyone stays on the same page.
Timing can be used as leverage in negotiations, so being clear about deadlines removes unnecessary tension.
It's not about rushing anyone; it's about creating an environment where decisions are made efficiently without added pressure.
3. Using Emotions as a Decision-Making Barometer
When emotions like anxiety, anger, or resentment surface during decision-making, it's a clear signal to pause and dig deeper.
Over time, I've learned that emotional responses often reveal deeper concerns that might otherwise go unnoticed.
If I start to feel anxious, I step back—whether it's going for a walk, hitting the gym, or grabbing coffee. The key is to shift focus away from the internal dialogue and onto something that brings calm.
By creating physical and mental distance, I return with a clearer mind, ready to make decisions that align with my goals.
I've also realized that when something feels off, it's crucial to pay attention. In the past, I've ignored gut feelings out of urgency or desire, only to regret it later.
Those ignored instincts eventually led to poor outcomes, reinforcing the importance of trusting my intuition and exploring those feelings more deeply before moving forward.
4. Recognizing Fear in Disguise
Fear is one of the most subtle yet powerful forces in decision-making. It often hides behind logic, convincing us that we're being rational when, in fact, we're acting out of insecurity or self-doubt.
Fear can manifest as FOMO, driving us toward unsuitable opportunities, or as the need for approval, leading us to make choices based on how others might perceive us.
I've found myself justifying decisions with data and reasoning, only to realize later fear was keeping me from taking the bolder path.
It's easy to mistake caution for wisdom, but fear-based decisions limit growth and keep us in a comfort zone.
To break free from this, I ask myself: Am I making this choice out of fear? By being honest with myself and recognizing these emotional drivers, I can shift from fear-based decisions to those aligned with my true values and goals.
I've learned that avoiding fear isn't about eliminating it but recognizing it and not letting it dictate my choices.
This awareness helps me see fear for what it is and move forward confidently, leading to the most rewarding opportunity.
Practical Tips for Enhancing Emotional Intelligence in Decision-Making
Here are a few strategies that have worked for me to sharpen my emotional intelligence when making important decisions:
1. Create Space for Reflection
When facing a decision, creating intentional space for reflection is essential.
Whether it's a brief pause or a few days of deep thinking, this time allows you to process your emotions and separate them from the facts.
Reflection isn't just about delaying decisions and engaging with your thoughts and feelings.
I ask myself questions like:
How will this choice affect me a year from now?
Am I reacting to immediate stress?
Is this a well-considered move?
This future-oriented perspective helps clarify what's driving the decision: short-term pressure or long-term alignment.
By exploring how I feel about the decision down the road, I can assess whether it brings a sense of peace or discomfort.
This practice allows me to trust my instincts, giving me a gut-level check on whether the decision aligns with my goals. Ultimately, the space for reflection leads to more thoughtful, intentional decisions that reduce regret later.
2. Identify Emotional Triggers
Emotional intelligence begins with awareness of the internal patterns that drive our behavior.
When making decisions, it's essential to pinpoint emotional triggers—those automatic responses that can cloud judgment.
Triggers often arise from deep-rooted fears, such as the fear of missing out, failure, or the discomfort of facing uncertainty. I can pause and assess what's at play by recognizing these emotional responses early.
This self-awareness allows one to look beyond the emotional reaction and see the decision more clearly, grounded in facts.
Once I've identified the trigger, I can respond rather than react impulsively.
For example, if the fear of missing out makes a potential opportunity seem more attractive than it is, I question whether the choice aligns with my long-term goals.
Over time, recognizing these patterns has allowed me to make more thoughtful, balanced decisions that align with my goals and values.
3. Leverage a Trusted Network for Feedback
Even with careful reflection, emotions can sometimes cloud judgment.
Turning to trusted colleagues, mentors, or advisors can be invaluable. They provide an outside perspective, often revealing blind spots or biases influencing your decision-making.
A trusted network acts as a sounding board, offering objective feedback that helps you see the bigger picture.
Building relationships with people who understand your values and long-term goals is essential. These individuals aren't just advisors; they help keep you grounded and ensure your decisions align with your purpose.
Having a few key people who can provide honest feedback can prevent you from making decisions based solely on short-term emotional reactions or doubts.
They can offer experiences or insights you may not have considered, allowing you to approach decisions differently. This collective wisdom often brings clarity to complex or high-stakes decisions, making it easier to move forward confidently.
4. Examine Past Decisions
One of the most effective ways I've improved my decision-making is by reviewing my past choices.
I don't just evaluate what worked or didn't—I focus on why things turned out the way they did.
It's important to approach this reflection without judgment. When a decision goes well, I avoid overconfidence; when things don't go as planned, I resist self-criticism.
The goal is to understand the emotional drivers behind the choice, how I felt, and the outcome.
This nonjudgmental reflection has helped me refine my process over time.
I've learned from mistakes and successes, recognizing patterns in my decision-making that ultimately lead to better choices and outcomes.
5. Allow Flexibility Whenever Possible
Not all decisions are set in stone, and I've learned to embrace flexibility whenever possible.
Testing decisions in low-risk environments allows for early feedback and adjustments. For example, when launching a new product, I'll often do a soft launch with a select group, allowing me to refine based on real-world input before going all in.
Flexibility also means building options into decisions. For instance, when committing to long-term contracts, I include clauses that provide an exit strategy if necessary. This gives me peace of mind and keeps my options open for future changes or pivots.
These are just two examples of how to add flexibility to decision-making, but all decisions and contexts are different. The important thing is to adopt an iterative approach to reduce the pressure of perfecting everything upfront and allow for adjustment as you go.
Every decision shapes our future. When we make them purposefully, we take control and direct our lives.
As you make decisions daily, remember that while logic and data are essential, your emotional gauge may be the best way to know if you're making the right choice.
When managed and understood, emotions offer insights that facts alone can't provide.
By balancing both, reflecting on past choices, and staying flexible, you ensure that each decision moves you closer to a life that aligns with your values and goals.
Thanks for reading. Please bookmark this article and share it with friends who may benefit.
Sending you good vibes 🌻
Manuel Saez