Most people like to think their decisions are driven by logic and reason. We convince ourselves that we carefully consider all options, weigh the pros and cons, and make choices based on facts. In reality? Most of those decisions—especially the important ones—are led by something much less objective: our opinions.
These aren’t the well-thought-out opinions that come from experience or reflection. They’re the gut-level opinions, shaped by past experiences, biases, emotions, and, sometimes, our egos. These opinions look a lot like rational decisions when we put them in a neat package, but they’re something else entirely.
Take any major decision. It rarely feels as straightforward as it seems. Think about hiring. People love to say they hire based on experience and qualifications, and sure, those matter. But there’s always something more—something that has nothing to do with someone’s resume. It could be the way they speak, their confidence, or even the feeling you get when you first meet them. It’s not logic. It’s a gut reaction dressed up as rational thought.
Opinions aren’t bad; they’re part of being human. We form them through our experiences, beliefs, and emotions. The problem happens when we pretend they don’t exist, when we fool ourselves into thinking that we’ve made a logical, fact-driven decision, when what we’ve really done is wrapped up an opinion in a nice, shiny layer of logic.
This is why we hold on to habits that no longer serve us. Or why we defend choices even when everyone around us can see they don’t make sense. It’s not that we don’t know the facts; we just don’t want to let go of the opinion that justified our choice in the first place.
If we could acknowledge that our decisions are guided by opinions more than we realize, we’d start making choices differently. We could loosen our grip on decisions, not because we doubt ourselves, but because we understand that our opinions are just that—opinions, not facts. Instead of blindly following our gut, we could pause and ask: Why do I feel this way? What’s really behind this decision? And that shift changes everything. Now, instead of reacting, we’re thinking. Instead of autopilot, we’re aware.
Of course, doing this isn’t easy. Our opinions often wear the mask of facts. They show up so confidently that they trick us into thinking they’re the only truth. They’re like that friend who always insists they’re “just telling it like it is” while really just sharing what they feel. And we? We’ve learned to trust those feelings.
The point isn’t to doubt ourselves or our instincts. It’s to recognize that our feelings, while valid, aren’t always the whole story. It’s about shedding the idea that we’re above being influenced by biases or emotions. We’re human. We’re messy. And so are our decisions.
The next time you face a decision, stop. Feel that gut reaction. Is it based on real knowledge, or just a feeling? Ask yourself why. Take a moment to reflect, and you might find that the truth isn’t as simple as it seemed.
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