Navigating hard situations by using wisdom in decision-making

Making decisions during unexpected situations, complex life events, and periods of uncertainty may feel fraught with challenges, particularly when the stakes are high. In these situations, making solid and well-thought-out decisions may be valuable, and using wisdom, a trait encompassing knowledge, experience, and open-mindedness, may help do just that. 

In this article, we’ll discuss wisdom, the psychological aspects of decision-making, and strategies that may help cultivate wisdom and use it to make decisions during periods of stress or uncertainty. 

What is wisdom?

The American Psychological Association defines wisdom as “the ability of an individual to make sound decisions, to find the right—or at least helpful—answers to difficult and important life questions, and to give advice about the complex problems of everyday life and interpersonal relationships.” 

That said, the ways people define wisdom, including which traits make a person “wise,” have long been the subject of discussion, with variations that may depend on culture, context, and various other factors. Proposed features of wisdom may include, but aren’t limited to:

• Knowledge, whether acquired through experience or education
• A desire and ability to learn from one’s mistakes
• Receptiveness to new experiences, perspectives, and ways of viewing the world
• Curiosity to understand why things are the way they are
• Compassion for others
• Willingness to challenge one’s own beliefs or hold competing information simultaneously

These traits, among others, may form the foundation of what can be considered “wisdom.”

The psychology of making decisions

Now that we’ve explored the definition of wisdom, it may be worth examining the psychology of decision-making, which may provide additional insight into how wisdom may help manage a challenging event. 

Various psychological factors may influence decision-making, some of which may relate to or overlap with previously proposed aspects of wisdom. For example, cognitive biases can affect how a person weighs different options. Confirmation bias is an example where people may process information by seeking and interpreting data consistent with their beliefs or values.

Confirmation bias may be most evident in media content that leans toward a certain political orientation. With confirmation bias, we may discount information that contradicts our deep-seated beliefs. 

Our life experiences can also play a role in our decision-making. If we have had previously positive experiences with a company, type of person, or product, we may be more likely to use it again and remain loyal. For example, attending a specific college or university means we may support their sports teams long after graduating, regardless of their level of success.

If we have had negative experiences, on the other hand, we may be less likely to make choices that would put us in a similar situation. For instance, someone who grew up in a rigid or dogmatic religious environment may become an adult who chooses to avoid organized religion.

Our emotions can also lead us to make quick decisions, particularly if we are tasked with quickly responding to a situation or event. Our bodies may be in a fight-or-flight state, and we might be unable to consider all the significant factors before making sound decisions. 

In other decision-making situations, we may be helped or hindered by the availability of information. For instance, some people may have the internet available at home, allowing them to look up medical information, compare products, or learn about political candidates. 

Others might rely more on word-of-mouth, which may not always be consistent or accurate. Additionally, factors like values, planning capacities, culture, socioeconomic status, and age play a role in making decisions.

With this in mind, it may be easier to understand why big decisions can sometimes feel intimidating, especially in challenging or high-stakes situations.

Tips for using wisdom in hardships

Wisdom may also play a role in making mindful and prudent decisions, a valuable tool for navigating challenges and uncertainty. Applying wisdom to decisions may allow for a more expansive point of view, the insight to weigh options based on previous experience, or how to determine what to prioritize. 

A range of strategies may be helpful for using wisdom to make decisions during periods of hardship. Remember that what works for one person may not necessarily work for another.

Take time to reflect

Learning from past experiences may be considered a core feature of wisdom. It may be helpful to make a habit out of reflecting on previous events, whether through journaling or speaking to others. Self-reflection may allow one to identify lessons that may be useful for making present and future decisions.

Practice mindfulness

Mindfulness and mindfulness meditation may help people connect thoughts and develop emotional awareness. This practice may be helpful in avoiding impulsive or snap decisions and creating space to make more constructive ones. 

Seek out diverse perspectives

The desire to be exposed to a variety of opinions and points of view has been proposed as a key aspect of wisdom. By seeking out diverse viewpoints, it may be possible to identify one’s personal strengths, areas of growth, and potential gaps in awareness. Doing so may be helpful for bringing new meaning to previous decisions and developing greater wisdom overall. 

Show compassion and empathy

Certain measures of wisdom, such as the three-dimensional wisdom scale, cite compassion toward others as a significant aspect of wisdom. By cultivating a habit of putting oneself in other people’s shoes, it may be possible to make choices that emphasize the well-being of both oneself and others. 

Get support

Given that diversity of perspectives may be a valuable feature of wisdom, it may also be helpful to seek guidance or advice from others, especially when faced with difficult situations. Family members, friends, mentors, or trusted colleagues may all be valuable sources of social support for developing wisdom and applying it to challenges. 

Online therapy as a resource

When faced with what feels like the most challenging event, choice, or unexpected source of hardship, therapy may be another valuable resource for cultivating wisdom and making decisions that support one’s mental health. Licensed therapists may be able to help individuals navigate the emotions around hard decisions or provide advice on how to manage hardship. 

That said, however, those who are navigating uncertain or stressful times may find themselves in need of more support than they can get in a single weekly therapy session. Online therapy may provide a helpful alternative, offering the option to send messages to a therapist anytime, including outside of scheduled therapy hours, and they will respond when they can. 

Online therapy has been found to be an effective alternative to face-to-face therapy when addressing a range of mental health concerns. One 2017 study, for instance, found that online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) was a useful treatment for depression, anxiety, chronic pain, panic disorder, and more. 

Takeaway

Decision-making may not always be easy, particularly in high-stakes situations. Numerous factors, ranging from cognitive biases to emotions and past experiences, may impact a person’s ability to make choices in the face of hardship. 

Wisdom, which may encompass knowledge, receptiveness to new experiences, compassion, and more, may help you make decisions with increased clarity and insight.

Strategies for cultivating and applying wisdom to decision-making may include practicing mindfulness and compassion, seeking new viewpoints, reflecting on past experiences, and seeking outside support.

For those seeking to overcome challenging life events or who are in need of support in navigating difficult decisions, therapy, either in-person or through an online platform like BetterHelp, may also be a useful resource.