How Gut Feelings Lead to Better Decisions

Three Key Feelings That Signal the Right Choice

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Have you ever made a life-altering decision based on nothing more than a feeling? That inexplicable knowing that defies spreadsheets and silences well-meaning advice?

I have. Several times. And those gut-led choices have shaped the most extraordinary chapters of my life.

My son is facing this exact scenario right now. He's staring down a tough post-graduation decision, and while he's fortunate to have options (always a blessing!), there's this weight hanging over him. Should he attend an out-of-state 4-year university, stay in-state at a junior college while exploring different interests, or take a gap year to work and gather real-world experiences? The fear that choosing incorrectly might set him down a path that later proves wrong looms large in his mind.

Sound familiar? We've all been there.

What pivotal decision are you facing right now? Does it feel heavy with the weight of potential regret?

The Science Behind Gut Feelings

What we casually call "gut feelings" actually has a scientific basis. Intuition is often referred to as "gut feelings" because they seem to arise fully formed from some deep part of us. These impressions typically emerge holistically and quickly, without awareness of the underlying mental processing.

Research shows that going with our gut instincts can help guide us to faster, more accurate decisions. Who doesn't want that? Scientists have demonstrated how information can register on the brain without conscious awareness and positively influence our decision-making.

In a behavioral experiment at Tel Aviv University, researchers found that intuition was a surprisingly powerful and accurate tool. When participants were forced to choose between options based on instinct alone, they made the right call up to 90 percent of the time.

Our brains are constantly processing information below our conscious awareness, drawing on past experiences and pattern recognition to guide us—even when we don't realize it's happening.

When was the last time your gut tried to tell you something your brain was ignoring? What happened when you listened—or didn't?

When Your Gut Speaks Loudly

Some of my life's most rewarding decisions came from trusting my intuition: the spontaneous backpacking trip that reshaped my perspective, leaving a secure job without a backup plan that led to unexpected opportunities, moving 3,000 miles across the country on a whim, and launching this newsletter despite doubts.

There's a certain freedom in trusting yourself enough to go with what feels right.

According to research from the University of Leeds, our intuition is the result of our brains storing, processing, and retrieving information on a subconscious level. It's actually our brain drawing on past experiences and external cues to make a decision—one that happens so fast the reaction occurs at a non-conscious level.

We've all heard stories about people who made life-changing decisions based on a hunch—the job they took despite better offers elsewhere, the house they bought that didn't check all their boxes but "felt like home," the relationship they pursued despite logical reasons not to.

The Three Gut Feelings That Matter Most

When it comes to making complex decisions (like which educational path to pursue or where to live), our intuition often serves us better than analytical reasoning.

Research suggests that for complicated choices with multiple factors, gut-based decisions are more than twice as likely to lead to optimal outcomes compared to detailed analysis.

But how do we distinguish between different types of gut feelings? Arthur Brooks identifies three specific intuitive responses that we should pay attention to:

1. EXCITEMENT - This feeling should be HIGH for good decisions.

• It's that sense of prospective happiness

• A forward-looking joy about a better future

2. CONSTRUCTIVE FEAR - This should be PRESENT, but not overwhelming.

• There's a difference between fear based on a reasonable challenge (good) versus dread (bad)

• A touch of healthy fear often signals growth potential

• Think: butterflies, not panic

3. DEADNESS - This should be near ZERO.

• That feeling of emptiness, boredom, or hopelessness is a red flag

• If an option makes you feel numb inside, it's probably not right for you

• Even prestigious or high-paying opportunities aren't worth this feeling

These visceral signals aren't mysterious—they're your accumulated life experience plus incredible amounts of subconscious data processing coming together to guide you.

Ask yourself: Which option makes you feel most alive? Which creates healthy challenge rather than dread?

Photo by Edz Norton on Unsplash

Course Correction: The Safety Net We Forget About

Few decisions in life are truly permanent. Career paths can shift. Relationships evolve. Locations change. The path forward isn't set in stone after a single choice.

Remember: A decision isn't a life sentence; it's just your next step.

This perspective alone relieves enormous pressure. When we understand most choices are just waypoints rather than final destinations, we approach decisions with more confidence and less fear.

Embracing Uncertainty

Uncertainty is simply part of the package when it comes to making important life decisions. No amount of research, pro/con lists, or consultations will provide absolute certainty.

Decision experts suggest that broadening our perspective is essential—talking to diverse groups of people can help us understand that most people don't have linear career trajectories, and mid-course changes are normal.

The 60-Second Gut-Check Decision Framework

Next time you're facing a tough choice, try this quick gut-check process:

⏱️ First 20 seconds: Close your eyes. Imagine choosing Option A. Notice how your body feels.

⏱️ Next 20 seconds: Imagine choosing Option B. Notice any shifts in your physical response.

⏱️ Final 20 seconds: Ask yourself: "Which option made me feel expansive rather than contracted?"

This isn't about avoiding logical analysis—it's about incorporating your intuitive wisdom into the process.

Life is ultimately a series of choices, course corrections, and learning opportunities. Perhaps the wisest approach is embracing this journey with courage, knowing that your inner wisdom is more reliable than you might have been led to believe.

The Bottom Line on Better Decisions

What I want most for my son—and for all of us—is to move forward with confidence rather than fear.

Remember:

• Perfect decisions don't exist (and chasing them leads to decision paralysis)

• Your gut feelings contain valuable intelligence your conscious mind might miss

• Most "wrong" decisions can be course-corrected

• Your values should be your ultimate decision filter

As someone who has made plenty of decisions—some brilliant, some questionable—I can tell you this: The decisions I regret least are the ones where I honored both my head AND my gut.

What decision are you wrestling with right now? How might trusting your intuition change your approach? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

With love,
Katherine

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P.S. If someone in your life is facing a big decision and might benefit from this perspective, please forward this newsletter their way. The best compliment you can give me is sharing these ideas with someone who needs them.