In this episode, host Brandon Laws sits down with renowned performance psychologist Jim Loehr, and the two delve into the crucial topic of decision-making. Loehr discusses advice from his book, Wise Decisions, which offers a research-based approach to intentional decision-making. The episode highlights the astonishing number of unintentional choices we make and how we can listen to our inner voice to make meaningful choices for the future.
GUEST AT A GLANCE
With over 30 years of experience in the areas of performance and achievement, Jim Loehr is a world-renowned psychologist and the co-author of his most recent book, Wise Decisions: A Science-Based Approach to Make Better Choices.
A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST
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🎙️ Host: Brandon Laws
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THE INSPIRATION
Jim Loehr, recent guest and expert in the fields of mental toughness and engagement, began his journey in writing Wise Decisions by exploring the idea of leading with character. However, he realized that, no matter what area he studied, “all roads tended to converge in the realm of decision-making.”
Loehr explained that decision-making is a unique feature of our species, as we have the ability to pause between stimulus and response and consciously choose the direction of our lives. Yet, as important as this skill is, Loehr was frustrated by the lack of education and guidance in this crucial competency, as it is generally not taught in schools or universities.
His book, Wise Decisions, co-authored by Sheila Ohlsson, tackles the importance of intentional decision-making. The book’s research-based approach provides practical applications for readers to cultivate their own decision-making abilities and to teach others. Ultimately, it’s all about bridging the gap in understanding and education surrounding this critical aspect of all of our lives.
PODCAST EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
A 10-Minute Span
“We asked very large numbers of people to reflect on how many decisions they’re making by noon and to actually think about what it is they’re referencing when they’re making those decisions. And people are astonished. They may make a hundred decisions. Shall I push the snooze alarm? Shall I get up and shall I forget breakfast ‘cause I’m running a little late? Shall I try to go against traffic or shall I take a different route? Shall I call my mom on the way to work? Shall I plan for that dinner or shall I cancel it? I mean, it goes on and on. And you know, in the span of like 10 minutes, you can make 20 decisions, and most of them are made without any intentional thought about it.”
Reading Between the Lines
“We ask people, well, what are you referencing when you make those decisions? And most people say, ‘I don’t have any clue. I just think, well, this is probably the decision I should make.’ And then there are those decisions that are automatic, which are most of them, and then there are the ones that are intentional.”
Changing the Trajectory
“A bad decision can change the trajectory of our lives — for years, maybe forever. […] And then there are the little decisions. Should I work out or not work out? Should I eat healthy or not today? And you think, well, that isn’t gonna really have any long-term effect on me. But what we found in the research is that the little decisions often become the greatest levers for the big decisions that will change the trajectory of our lives.”
Listening to the Inner Voice
“What we found is the greatest coach, and the most important coach you will ever have, is the one no one else hears but you. And that’s that inner voice, and that’s the one that’s directing traffic. You can fake your public voice, but your inner voice is reflecting kind of what’s really happening between your ears.”
Resting Easy
“We have you sleep on it for 24 hours and let that brain kind of wash itself clean through the night and see what you come up with again as you think about it the next morning.
And if you come up with the same decision, that’s probably the one you should go with. And if it turns out it was a bad decision, you can rest easy because you did everything you could to make the best [one]. And we don’t always make the best decisions, but having a process, which is what Wise Decisions really points out there, is a way we can come to better decisions and smarter choices, and that can literally make the difference in a person’s life in terms of where you end up when it’s all said and done.”
Taking a Pause
“That pause between the stimulus and response is maybe the most sacred space we have as human beings. And it’s a tough space. And […] we want to make it easy for people to take care of themselves. So we provide great snacks. We encourage them to get up. We have exercise facilities. We do everything. We have recovery rooms where they can spend a little time, chill out, and get over those negative emotions that are swelling up inside of them because there have been some layoffs, and they lost some of their closest friends.”
“We need to figure out how we help people digest a lot of this in a really positive way so that there aren’t problems going forward, which will manifest in the way they make decisions and manifest in the way they either will be fully engaged or not engaged with the priorities of this business.”
LEARN MORE
Grab a copy of Jim Loehr’s latest book, Wise Decisions, wherever books are sold. You can even connect with Jim on LinkedIn or his website.