Emotional Decisions - Why You Should Hit Pause Before You Press Go
- Tim Thürnau
- Oct 15, 2024
- 5 min read
Hello friend,
Ever send an angry text, only to regret it five minutes later? Or storm out of a meeting, determined never to return, and then wonder what you were so upset about in the first place? We’ve all been there, driven by emotions so strong that they hijack our thinking and push us into impulsive decisions.
Well, allow me to introduce you to a handy tool called Tarzwell’s Razor. It’s basically a way of saying, “Don’t trust your thoughts when you’re emotional, because your judgment is taking a coffee break.” So, what’s the solution? Pause, wait for the storm to pass, and then decide. Let's dive into why this works and how it can save you from making regrettable choices.
The Problem: Emotion’s Double-Edged Sword
Emotions are tricky little things. On the one hand, they fuel motivation—anger can push us to act, excitement can spur us into trying something new, and fear can make us super aware. On the other hand, emotions cause bias, leading us to make decisions that don’t always align with our best interests.
Here’s the paradox: When emotions are high, we’re most likely to act. But ironically, that’s also when our judgment is at its worst. It’s like trying to read a map while on a rollercoaster—not ideal. Tarzwell’s Razor teaches us this simple truth: Don’t trust your thoughts while you’re emotional. The solution? Pause, breathe, and wait for the feeling to pass.
The Science Behind It
When you’re emotional, your brain’s decision-making process goes a bit haywire. The logical, cool-headed part of your brain (thank you, prefrontal cortex) gets overshadowed by the emotional part (looking at you, limbic system). Basically, you’re operating in fight-or-flight mode, and subtle nuances like rational thinking take a backseat.
Think of it like this: Emotions are the fog that cloud your path. It’s not that you can’t make decisions in the fog—you just can’t see where you’re going as clearly. So, what’s the smart move? Wait for the fog to lift.
Practical Steps to Apply Tarzwell’s Razor
Alright, we’ve established that acting in the heat of the moment is a recipe for disaster. So, how do we avoid it? Here are a few fun ways to incorporate Tarzwell’s Razor into your everyday life:
Create Space Between Reaction and Action
Before you react, pause. Set a timer for 15 minutes if you need to, or simply walk away. It’s amazing what a little time can do. You might realize that the thing you were furious about isn’t actually that big of a deal, or that your solution becomes clearer when the emotion dies down.
Check In with Yourself
After the pause, ask yourself, “Would I feel the same way about this decision if I weren’t as emotional?” Nine times out of ten, your answer will be no. This simple check-in can prevent you from making impulsive choices you’ll later regret.
Write It Down
I love this one: Write down your emotional thoughts in the moment, then come back to them later. What felt like the end of the world might look like an overreaction when you read it with a clear head. Plus, this gives you a chance to get those emotions out of your system without acting on them.
Get a Second Opinion
If you’re feeling particularly emotional, talk to a neutral friend. Let them be your sounding board. Often, explaining your situation to someone else helps you see it more objectively.
Focus on the Long Term
When emotions push you toward quick decisions, ask yourself: “How will I feel about this in a week? A month? A year?” Suddenly, that decision to quit your job in a dramatic fashion seems a lot less appealing, huh?
Why It Works
Tarzwell’s Razor isn’t about ignoring your emotions—it’s about not letting them drive the car. Emotions are valuable; they tell us what matters and push us to act. But we need to give ourselves space to respond thoughtfully, not react impulsively.
By pausing and waiting for the emotion to subside, we let clarity settle in. And with that clarity comes better decision-making.
How to Use Emotions Constructively
Here’s the thing: Emotions aren’t all bad. While they may bias your judgment, they’re also great motivators. The key is to use that energy once the fog has lifted. When your head is clear, you can direct that emotional drive into productive action.
Channel your frustration, excitement, or even anxiety into the steps that follow a decision, not the decision itself. This way, you make your actions count.
Closing the Loop
Tarzwell’s Razor is simple: Don’t trust your brain when it’s emotional. But beyond just pausing, it’s about giving yourself the space to make clearer, more thoughtful decisions. When we act in the heat of the moment, we often create more problems than we solve.
How to Wing It: Next time you feel yourself bubbling over with emotion, take a pause. Give yourself 10-15 minutes (or more!) before deciding anything. Use that time to calm down, reflect, or talk to someone. Once the fog clears, you’ll likely find a much better solution waiting.
Final Thoughts
Life’s too short to keep letting emotions hijack your decision-making process. The next time you feel yourself spiraling into emotional overdrive, remember Tarzwell’s Razor: Wait for the storm to pass before making a call. The world won’t end if you pause for a moment, but it might just save you from making a decision you’ll regret.
Bridging Worlds
If you want to see me wing it, I do a podcast with cool people. You should subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
This week on Bridging Worlds, I sat down with Nour Idelbi, a remarkable entrepreneur and speaker who’s already having a big impact at just 19 years old. Nour’s unique journey, having grown up between different cultures, offers a fresh perspective on what it means to bridge worlds—both in business and in life. One of the key moments? “When you stop comparing yourself to others and trust your own mission, that’s when real progress happens.”
In this episode, Nour delves into her experiences as a young founder and speaker, the power of reverse mentoring, and the importance of embracing cultural diversity to build connections across generations and industries.
On a personal note, this interview really stood out to me. I was struck by Nour’s straight-forward thinking and how authentically she carries herself. She has such a clear sense of purpose, and it’s inspiring to see how driven she is to create real, lasting impact in the world. Her passion and clarity are rare, and I left the conversation feeling genuinely inspired.
Whether you’re building a startup, leading across cultures, or simply seeking personal growth, this conversation will inspire you to embrace your unique journey and the bridges you build along the way.
Don’t miss this episode with Nour Idelbi - tune in this Friday!
Keep winging it, and I’ll see you in the next one.
Big love,
Tim
