In the past I have made some decisions without really thinking them through, as I have
gotten older I have slowed down a bit and really research, make pro and con lists and try to
never make a decision quickly. I was a single mom living in New York, had a good career
in Manhattan and started to think about moving to the suburbs. It was hard for me to make
the leap and I went back and forth on the topic for about a year. I was in a new relationship
(about 6 months) when 911 happened, as a result he was transferred to Philadelphia and had
asked me to relocate with him. I made the decision to go, it was definitely a decision based
on emotion. I was already thinking of living in the suburbs and here I had the chance to do
that, a home with a yard away from the horror that occurred that day. If I would have
removed emotion when making that decision I most likely would have still gone however, I
would have done so a little more prepared. I would have done research on schools and
programs for children with special needs, as my son is disabled. I would have made a few
trips to get to know the areas before deciding where to buy a house. It all turned out for the
best but there were so many bumps in the road and it was emotionally a roller coaster. A
situation where emotion influenced my decision-making was dropping out of college. My
senior year of highschool I had no clue what college I wanted to go to or which one would
be best for me. As well as what degree I even wanted. At the last minute, I got accepted at a
college close to home. I ended up feeling so stressed out because when classes started I still
didn’t know anything about my financial aid. Classes began and I felt so overwhelmed with
four online classes and a full-time job. I had no clue how I was going to juggle all of it and
still give my very best. The first night of my classes, I ended up crying and having a panic
attack. A few days later, I ended up withdrawing from my classes because my emotions got
the best of me. I didn’t think dropping out was the best or most reasonable decision. But I
felt too stressed and overwhelmed to continue. Although now I do think it was the best
decision, because I have found something that works better for my schedule and my anxiety.
My emotions had a negative effect in this situation, because my anxiety over having so
much on my plate made me immediately drop out. Communication did not play a role in this
situation.
If I removed emotion from my decision-making, I would have continued with my classes for
that year and then transferred to the University of Phoenix. If I did this I would already have
a year of credits towards my Bachelors degree instead of nothing. I honestly have to say that
this week’s discussion topic was a bit challenging for me, in the sense of thinking of a
situation of where my emotions influenced my decision-making. I’m often told that I’m
emotionally unavailable, so to speak. I often approach situations from a logical standpoint
versus an emotional route. I normally like to leave emotions out when it comes to decision
making so that I have a clear mind and strive to make the best choice. But if I had to provide
an example of when I let my emotions influence my decision, I would have to go with the
time I quit a job I had about 7 years ago, due to a certain manager I did not get along with. I
did not feel that he was not a friendly person and had a reputation as such through out the
department. I felt that he was always targeting me to the point that I became so frustrated
and walked off the job and never returned. He later called me along with an individual from
human resources to discuss my reasoning for leaving, but by that time, I did not care to
speak with him, nor work for the company so I confirm my resignation. Thinking back, the
decision that was made was not rational because, I did not have a back up plan in place as
far as new employment at the time, so I had to move back home with my mom for a few
months. Communication played a key role because instead of walking out, I could have
communicated my issues with management and human resources to come up with better
solutions rather than quitting. Had I made the decision with my emotions removed, I
probably would have stuck it out longer, at least until I had another job in place. I tend to be
an emotional person. I try to remember that and use logic to make my decisions as well as
emotion. I think emotion gives us to tools to direct our decisions. Logic can be corrupted by
too much emotion. This is why it is important to find a balance. Recently, I made a decision
to end my vacation early. I did this because my grandpa was sick and in the hospital. I used
emotion for this decision because I care about my grandpa. If I didn't perhaps I would not
have came to see him so soon. Communication did play a part in this because my family told
me of my grandpas situation. If they had told me it wasn't serious I would not have came to
see him so soon. If I had not used emotion in this decision then perhaps I wouldn't have
went to see my grandpa. The reason it was important to me was because I have an emotional
connection to him. I feel like emotion can help spark the need to implement logic to solve a
needed problem. Without emotion, is a problem even a problem? Critical thinking helps
solve problems. I don't believe myself to be an emotional person. I do find that when I reach
a critical moment in a decision process; I often, tend to worry more about how others would
feel, than my own feelings. I guess that is being compassionate? I find that every day, that
every "minor" decision I make, leads up to a larger, and often times bigger, decision that is
coming off these smaller (sometimes what seems inconsequential) made decisions. I try to
operate being fair and up front; and with the mindset, that my decisions won't make
everyone happy. I just have to find that fine line as to what will get the job done and keep
the operations running smoothly. Everyday I deal with having staff calling out of work, for
whatever reason, and needing to make decisions (based on these call-outs) as to what is
deemed "critical" and must be done first and what can be passed over because we don't have
the time, or manpower, to do it. Where the "emotional" side plays in are there are always
those "squeaky wheels" who I have to decide on if they are a critical need or a pass by -
despite not being emotional, I have to decide if I want to deal with the complaints that will
come if I don't do these particular areas, or completing, even though they aren't critical.
Communication plays a key role in this as now I have to let my Managers know why I
decided to do provide service for a particular area that "they" may not have deemed critical
over something that is critical. Had "emotion" not been involved in the decision process;
certain areas, would not have been done or deemed "critical' to operations and needing the
service we provided. I am not an emotional person when it comes to making decisions.
Since my early 20s, I have been able to look at a problem and see that ultimately, I have 2
choices to make. Then I ask myself, which I can live with/without the most. I make the
decision and I don’t look back. The one exception was when I decided to get married for the
second time. I didn’t realize it at the time, but looking back, that decision was made out of
loneliness. I was tired of being by myself, I wanted a partner, and I was past ready to
become a mother. I wouldn’t admit it to myself, but I knew we weren’t compatible, but I
didn’t care. He was willing to marry me, so I went with it just so I didn’t have to be alone.
Communication did not play a role in that decision at all. Had I taken emotion out of it, I
have no idea how my life would be different now. However, I will say that I don’t regret it.
Even though it didn’t work out, it shaped me into the person that I am today. If I didn’t
make that decision, then I might have kids of my own now, which at the time, was my
dream. But if I did, then I wouldn’t be able to be there for my nephews and nieces like I am
now as well as my parents. In the end, I know, that I am right where I need to be. I always
consider every possible outcome before ever making a decision. I know that whatever
decision I make will impact everything in the future. When it comes to decision making it is
hard not to let my emotions get the best of me. An example where my emotions influenced
my decision making was when I was at work and I paid for a patients medication. I felt like
I had to pay for it, and he was put into my path just so I could. I had enough money for my
lunch, and here he was counting change. I felt like this decision that I made was reasonable.
I would want someone to do this act of kindness for my grandparent. My emotions that I had
towards this elderly patient were because he reminded me of my grandparents.
Communication played a roll as well. This patient communicated to me how embarrassed
they were. I would have never just assumed that they were struggling to pay if they didn't
communicate that to me. If I had removed my emotion from this situation I probably would
have not paid for his medication. I only did this because I had feelings towards him because
he was elderly and reminded me someone close to me. Working in the medical field your
emotions play a huge part in my decision making. I always put myself in my patient shoes.
How would I feel if I was the patient or the family member of the patient. Hearing sad and
emotional stories tend to influence my decision making because my heart is so open and can
understand were many of my patient are coming from.Many of my decision that were based
off emotions have been reasonably correct. I trust my gut and my emotions better than
anything. Everyday in my clinic we see at least 100 patients a day with different issues but
they all seem to have the same emotions. Me being to empathize and communicate with
each patient I encounter makes me feel great. In my field of work communication play a
major roll. I can't do my work I do without it. I need to be able to communicate with the
patient. I don't regret any decisions I made with my emotions. I honestly feel if I removed
my emotions from my decision making it wouldn't of changed because my gut would of told
me the same answer. I am the type of person to take decisions very seriously. I am so
focused on reaching my goals that I make sure that each one of my decisions will not
negatively affect me in the future. Although this may be a good quality in some aspects, it
also is one of my biggest weaknesses because I can keep myself up at night thinking about
one particular situation. Even the smallest decisions I make, like what I eat for breakfast,
have the ability to stress me out. I need to learn that even though making decisions is very
important, it will not be the end of my life if I make one bad decision.I am also a big
emotional decision maker. For example, last year I made the decision to attend a local
University to study Accounting. Within the first two days of school I had this feeling that I
was not supposed to be there. A few months later I also discovered that I do not want to be
an accountant. I have a passion for children and I love spending my time with kids. This
love for kids led me to decide that I wanted to become an Elementary Teacher. Although I
may not make as much money as a teacher, I believe this emotional decision was reasonable,
because I will live a much happier life with this career.
Communication played a huge role in my decision. I was worried about what my fiancé was
going to think about changing my career path, but he was fully supportive in my decision,
and even tried to push me towards being a teacher because he knew I would thrive in that
career. Communication helps take some of the stress out of decision making because I like
to hear what other people think before I decide. If I were to remove emotion from this
specific situation, I probably would still be on the path to becoming an accountant.
Accountants make much more money, and without emotion, money would have been my
ultimate motive in choosing a career.
