Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you had to make a decision, and felt like something within you tells you a completely different guidance? Some call this intuition, some call this gut feeling and some call this part of the mind the unconscious mind.

As human beings, we often believe that we make decisions based on rational and logical thought processes. However, research shows that our unconscious mind plays a significant role in decision-making, and can even improve the quality of our choices.

What is unconscious processing?

Sigmund Freud was one of the pioneers of popularizing the term “unconscious”. He believed that many of our deep tendencies such as beliefs, patterns, memory, and emotions are suppressed unconsciously.

Unconscious processing refers to the mental activity that occurs outside of our awareness. It includes processes like intuition, automatic thinking, and implicit memory. While we may not be aware of these processes, they still influence our behavior and decision-making.

How does unconscious processing improve decision-making?

 Decision making can be a tough process, especially in important situations. When you don’t know which way to go, trusting your unconscious mind can be a great dilemma.

Integrating information

Our unconscious mind has the ability to integrate information from various sources, such as past experiences and emotions, and use it to inform our future decision-making. This can lead to more comprehensive, holistic and overall better decisions.  

For example, imagine you're considering a job offer. Your conscious mind may focus on salary, location, and work hours. However, your unconscious mind may also consider factors like the company's culture, your potential colleagues, and your long-term career goals.

By integrating these very important components, you can make a decision that takes into account both the practical and emotional aspects of the job offer.  

Filtering information

While our conscious mind can become overwhelmed by information, our unconscious mind has the ability to filter out irrelevant information and focus on what's important. This can help us make more efficient decisions.

Think you're buying a new car. Your conscious mind may be overwhelmed by factors like the car's appearance, price, and features. However, your unconscious mind may filter out irrelevant details and focus on factors like the car's safety record, reliability, and resale value.

By focusing on what's more important, you can make a decision that meets your essential needs.  

Rapid decision making  

Sometimes, we need to make quick decisions without having all the information available. In these situations, our unconscious mind can process information much faster than our conscious mind, allowing us to make a rapid decision that is often more accurate.  

Imagine you're driving on the highway and a car suddenly swerves into your lane. Your conscious mind may be too slow to react, but your unconscious mind can quickly process the situation and prompt you to hit the brakes or swerve out of the way.

By relying on rapid unconscious processing, you can make a split-second decision that could save your life.

Intuitive decision making  

Finally, the unconscious mind can lead us to make intuitive decisions that are based on a "gut feeling" or instinct. These decisions can be beneficial when we don't have time to weigh all the options and need to make a decision quickly.  

If you're considering whether to accept a business partnership, your conscious mind may analyze the pros and cons, but your unconscious mind may give you a feeling of unease or excitement.

By trusting your intuition, you can make a decision that feels right and ultimately leads to success.

Final words from B Hypnotized

While our conscious mind is important for decision-making, our unconscious mind plays a crucial role as well. So next time you make a decision, remember that your unconscious mind may be playing a bigger role than you think.

By becoming more aware of your unconscious processes, you can improve your decision-making skills and make more informed choices. Remember to trust that “inner voice” that will always guide you towards where you need to go!