Instinct Versus Intellect

Elsewhere on this site is an article that discusses paralysis by analysis, a condition whereby a person analyzes a situation or goal so long that their inaction ultimately causes them to fail. One of the easiest ways to combat this problem is to embrace your natural instincts rather than your intellect.

That last statement might make many cringe – how could basic instinct be anything near as powerful or reliable as intelligent decisions? To suggest such a thing would seem ludicrous, yet that's exactly what I am suggesting.

I have long been a strong advocate for working off instinct in home and the workplace. If I face a decision that must be made quickly and I'm not sure exactly what to do, I try to listen to my instinct and choose the path that feels right. Instinct is the attribute that sets the successful businessmen apart from the failed enterprises. Successful people trust in themselves and their instincts. They understand that decisions must be made fast and furious in order to ensure constant momentum, therefore they never fall victim to "paralysis by analysis" or stagnation.

Does this mean instinct can never lead one to making a wrong decision? Of course not – even the most successful people make bad decisions. Donald Trump is a good example, because although he is a billionaire and widely recognized as a successful businessman he has had multiple failed business ventures (i.e., casinos). But when you're constantly speeding ahead full force, the occasional failure or road bump generally will not cripple you.

Now intellect certainly does play a role in decisions, because if it didn't we would all still be living in caves and gazing in fascination at campfires. Clearly you don't want to dismiss knowledge since it's a powerful and essential tool that can help us better achieve our goals. You'll see in our free web guide on goal setting that a good portion of the guide is dedicated to proper planning and forethought, because intelligent preparations will ultimately lead to far better chances of success.

But by the same token, goals can never be achieved if we keep planning and planning and planning. At some point action needs to be taken, otherwise we'll become one of those individuals that convinces himself he'll prepare today and begin tomorrow… and then tomorrow… and then tomorrow… and find himself in a perpetual state of preparation.

Part of the more elite military training is focused on teaching the recruits how to make snap decisions under pressure, because in the middle of the battlefield there just isn't time to ponder back and forth about what should be done. You'll be dead before you make a decision! You should try and train yourself to react the same way in daily and/or business life, because although the level of urgency or danger may not be the same as a soldier faces, the theory itself holds just as true. Quick decisions lead to quick action, and quick action leads to quicker results.

Don't let the threat of making an erroneous decision prevent you from charging forward. Sure, you might make an error – the best of the best do. But if you do, pick yourself up, brush yourself off, then charge ahead once more. Instinct and action, when blended with intellect and experience, is a powerful force.