Decisions. We have so many to make every day. Although unscientifically proven, there seems to be a general consensus that we make about 35,000 decisions a day on average.
Decisions vs Choices
According to Cornelia Schepis, there is a distinction between decision and choice. Every time you decide you’re literally killing your possibility to be self expressed. You’re putting up with something and there’s lack of freedom and power right there. When you choose you are freely and powerfully creating space for self expression and possibilities. This is a distinction that most of human beings unfortunately isn’t aware of. So don’t feel bad. I’m glad you brought this question up. Said that, we live in a society and often we are required to make decisions and not choices. I’d say as long as you know the distinction and you’re aware of which you’re choosing, it’s “ok”.
Guided By Our Intuition
As we navigate our lives, we normally allow ourselves to be guided by impressions and feelings, and the confidence we have in our intuitive beliefs and preferences is usually justified. But not always. We are even confidant when we are wrong and an objective observer is more likely to detect our errors than we are.
From Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
What Thoughtful People Do
Thoughtful people are self-aware, take care of their mental and physical needs and are engaged in the present moment. They are observant to the needs of those around them and are as kind and considerate as possible.
They learn from the past, prepare for the future and act in the present moment.
They don’t walk away from arguments. They see other thoughts and ideas as a challenge to think bigger.
Incredibly curious about whatever they are studying. They ask the best questions. They don’t settle for what they know. They understand that “If you don’t seek, you don’t know.”
They decide that everything that happens to them is feedback, lessons to be learned. Good or bad, they take in the teaching and move forward stronger.
They have taken the time to decide what is important, what really matters in their life. Relationships, good work, enjoying the ordinary. They know how and with whom to spend their time.
Thoughtful people build from what they have in the moment. They make best use of their current situation and work with what they’ve got.
They know what they can control and what they can’t but they also understand that they have choices. They exert self-control. After deliberation and consideration, they make thoughtful choices.
They review all possibilities and focus on possible best outcomes, knowing full well, that the only thing constant in life is change.
Read: This is How High Achievers Make Smart Decisions
A Case For Being More Thoughtful
Your (intuitive) brain is lazy and causes you to make intellectual errors.
Take the test –
A baseball bat and a ball cost $1.10. The bat costs $1 more than the ball. How much does the ball cost?
I’ll give you a second.
…
Got it?
If your instant and initial answer is $0.10, I’m sorry to tell you that system 1 just tricked you.
Do the math again.
And?
Once you spent a minute or two actually thinking about it, you’ll see that the ball must cost $0.05. Then, if the bat costs $1 more, it comes out to $1.05, which, combined, gives you $1.10.
Another way to understand this –
Although $1.00 + $0.10 does equal $1.10, if you take $1.00 – $0.10 you get $0.90, but the problem requires that the bat costs $1 more than the ball.
So, the ball must cost $0.05, and the bat must cost $1.05 since $1.05 + $0.05 = $1.10
Fascinating, right? What happened here?
Sometimes your brain perceives problems as simpler as they actually are.
Why does your brain do this? The law of least effort states that your brain uses the minimum amount of energy for each task it can get away with.
Read even more: 17 Ways To Tell The Difference Between Intruding Thoughts And Intuitive Ones
Featured Art
André Breton once described Man Ray as a ‘pre-Surrealist’, something which accurately describes the artist’s natural affinity for the style. Even before the movement had coalesced, in the mid 1920s, his work, influenced by Marcel Duchamp, had Surrealist undertones, and he would continue to draw on the movement’s ideas throughout his life. His work has ultimately been very important in popularizing Surrealism.
Of Undisputed Origin 
I know too many times I’ve made choices based on my emotions. I took a picture of the book you discussed because it would probably help me grow stronger as a person.
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