The Role of Insight in Decision-Making
While building insight about any particular idea or choice, our minds often hold internal conversations or monologues, weighing the different aspects and facts of a situation. Sometimes we seek guidance from trusted supports in our life to gain an outsider’s perspective. As a therapist, insight-building is often part of the therapeutic process. Sometimes it is a clear objective, while other times it emerges as a byproduct of therapy.
Insight refers to our ability to use wisdom to build a complete understanding of an idea or situation. This is particularly important when making choices or building motivation for change. If you struggle with insight at times, the following open-ended questions can help guide reflection and decision-making.
Question 1: How Will I Feel About This in the Future?
Ask yourself: “How will I feel about this in 6 months from now?” This question can be adjusted to any time frame appropriate for the situation. For example:
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How will I feel in 5–10 years about taking a new job?
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How will I feel in 2 weeks about whether or not to clean the house before a trip?
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How might I feel at the end of my life looking back at this moment and the decisions I made?
While we cannot know the future with certainty, this perspective allows us to evaluate facts more objectively, keeping our long-term wellbeing in mind.
Question 2: What If Fear Disappeared?
Ask yourself: “If my fears or insecurities about this situation magically disappeared, what would I choose to do?”
This exercise removes emotional barriers to help you focus on the potential rewards of a choice rather than the risks. Fear often drives decisions that limit growth or happiness. By imagining a version of the situation free from fear, you can make choices more aligned with your values and long-term goals. Even if the decision remains the same, it is then rooted in meaning rather than avoidance.
Question 3: What Would I Advise a Friend to Do?
Ask yourself: “What would I coach a close friend or family member to do in this same situation?”
We often give advice to others that we hesitate to apply to ourselves, sometimes undervaluing our own insight. Imagining giving guidance to someone you care about can help you access your wisdom more directly. The next step is translating that insight into action—a topic explored further in related resources.
https://moderntherapy.online/blog-2/2022/8/25/time-for-change-how-to-build-up-motivation-for-change
For more support around making choices and navigating decisions, click here.
