I was recently contacted by a writer who asked me what the difference between mindfulness and intuition were. They seemed pretty similar. What struck me was that while there were some similarities, the two also had clear distinctions. Intuition is about emotions and feelings. It's based on instinctive responses to stimuli that have nothing to do with logic.
Mindfulness, on the other hand, requires logic and conscious awareness. It involves learning to be intentional, instead of automatic and instinctual.
When making a decision, we are constantly being influenced by both our emotions and logic. In order to decide wisely, we need to be aware of what our emotions are telling us and why we are making decisions we regret later.
In order to overcome instinct and emotion, we need to consciously consider all the reasons for our choices. And then we need to act on the rational, conscious choice rather than the unconscious emotional impulse.
That's why I've created Mindful Decision Making. It helps you become more aware and intentional with your decision-making process so you can become a more confident and productive person.
So how does it work? Let's dig into it.
- Identify Your Emotions
First things first, you must identify your emotions. In order to overcome them, you must first be aware of them.
You must know the root cause of your emotions and understand why you feel the way you do. The more you understand why you react to situations, the less likely you are to feel bad or angry in the future.
To start, simply identify your emotional response and then ask yourself "why" it is occurring. Then you can think about why you have this emotional reaction and why it makes sense to you.
For example, if you feel angry or frustrated because you want to go home, ask yourself why. Why do you want to go home? Is it because you have to work late? Do you have to wait for a package to arrive? Are you worried about your project or your job?
Once you've identified the reason behind your emotions, you're much better off than if you don't have any idea why you feel the way you do. And even more so, once you know the root cause, you're in a position to make wiser choices.
- Understand Your Logic
Next, you'll want to take some time to look at your logical side.
In this case, your logical side is your conscious mind. When you are feeling bad about something or you are trying to overcome a bad feeling, it's important to keep track of all the thoughts and reasons that lead to this feeling. This will help you make better choices in the future.
To start, think about the negative emotions you are feeling now. Next, focus on why you are feeling bad. What are the thoughts and logic behind your emotions?