MAKE DECISION MAKING
AS EASY AS
“HEADS OR TAILS”
The coin toss … heads or tails … has, as we know,
inherently, only two possible outcomes which are -- given a true, balanced,
unbiased coin –
Equal. So “Call it!” is a generally neutral and
equitable way to choose between two alternatives; a simple and impartial way of
settling a dispute or deciding between two (or more, if you plan correctly)
options.
In
a theoretically perfect situation, the old “heads you win/tails you lose” flip
provides even odds to either choice or side. So it’s used in all manner of
decision-making.
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| Even the coin toss has a video moment in John Madden Football |
The historical origin of coin flipping is rooted in the interpretation of a chance outcome as the expression of Divine Will.
Is it? (Divine Will, that
is.)
Not quite. (Or, at least, we
can say with great certainty, not usually.)
But
you can use a coin flip to perform a psychological experiment on yourself, and
the result of that experiment could help you choose.
In
fact, it’s a technique that’s attributed to no less a psychological authority
than Austrian neurologist and psychoanalyst, Sigmund Freud.
(Full disclosure: I’m a bit skeptical
about the attribution. I found numerous Freud references but no Sigmund-at-the-source
documentation. But I’m going with it anyway.)
How does it work? Well, once you’re
down to just a couple of can’t-seem-to-decide- between-them choices, grab a
coin. (Or click through below to a Coin Flipper form that allows you to flip
virtual coins, the outcomes randomized by some kind of algorithmic,
computer-connected, beyond-my-understanding relationship to atmospheric noise.)
TGIM ACTION IDEA: Designate one choice
“Heads” …
the other
choice will be other “Tails” …
and now–
The outcome? Not important.
Not important?
WTF? (What The Freud? Or … What The Flip?)
If
we’re deferring our decision to the coin, how
can the coin-toss outcome NOT be important?
The point of the
Freudian coin toss:
It’s NOT to actually determine the decision, but to force you to clarify
your feelings.
TGIM IDEA IN ACTION: Got your coin-toss answer?
Now check your “gut.”
Siggie sez: Your gut reaction to
that flippin’ outcome is what’s important. Like this:
 |
| Sigmund Freud in the iconic 1921 Max Halberstadt picture |
You
chose “Heads” and “Heads” turn up.
Alright!
You make a
spontaneous involuntary fist pump and your inner voice cheers,“Yessss!”
Or
…
You chose “Heads” and “Tails” turn up.
Arrgh! Your stomach flips, your head droops, you get a sinking feeling and the idea --
“Maybe two out of three …”
-- flashes through your brain.
Congratulations
either way:
That unambiguous insight helps you come to the decision that’s right for you.
In a nutshell: Sometimes giving
yourself a point to focus on brings out what you subconsciously wanted to do
anyway. If you assign the decisions to the coin flip, you'll often end up making
the decision you wanted to despite what the coin says.
Sigmund
Freud (1856-1939), it’s claimed, explained…
"I
did not say you should follow blindly what the coin tells you. What I want you
to do is to note what the coin indicates. Then look into your own reactions.
Ask
yourself: Am I pleased? Am I disappointed? That will help you to recognize how
you really feel about the matter, deep down inside. With that as a basis,
you’ll then be ready to make up your mind and come to the right decision.”
Of
course, if you have some reservations about whether this strategy is or isn’t
right for you, I say --
Go Ahead And Try It. Hey! It’s a coin toss …
Geoff
Steck
Chief Catalyst
Alexander Publishing & Marketing
8
Depot SquareChief Catalyst
Alexander Publishing & Marketing
Englewood, NJ 07631
201-569-5373
tgimguy@gmail.com
P.S. In the spirit of
discovering how you feel about decision alternatives via a coin toss, there's no doubt that Sigmund
Freud did say, in a letter to Wilhelm Fliess dated October 15, 1897: “Being entirely honest with oneself is a
good exercise.”
