What role should instinct play in major decisions?

Originally asked

The American Academy of Achievement, to its honourees, its oral-history interviews

Near-verbatim recurring Academy prompt about judgment under pressure.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

Recorded A.J. Jacobs said elsewhere, not written here
That is a lesson I try to take to real life. What is the real problem? Don’t just dive in and start trying to go with your first instinct. Step back and say, ‘What am I really trying to accomplish here?’

Sophie Roell, Five Books interview, 25 July 2022 source ↗

Others on this question

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Edmund Hillary Mountaineer and explorer; first ascent of Everest, 1953
I think it was a combination of feeling and judgment. I happened to be that sort of person that enjoyed making out plans, but I also enjoy changing plans. On an expedition, although I may start out with a detailed plan, I’m prepared to change it at any moment and completely redo it. So our expeditions turned out to be very adaptable ones. We achieved the final objectives just the same as many other expeditions, but maybe we had more fun in the process because it seemed something we could vary. We still carried on to achieve our major objectives.
Recorded Academy of Achievement interview source ↗
Desmond Tutu Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town; chair of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission; Nobel Peace Prize, 1984
But the thing I think that thrust me possibly into the public consciousness, I had just been elected Bishop of Lesotho. I had gone there to become bishop and I went for a retreat. I don’t know — I mean, I don’t know what happened but it just seemed like God was saying to me, “You’ve got to write a letter to the Prime Minister.” And the letter wrote itself.
Recorded Academy of Achievement interview source ↗
Cheryl Strayed Author of Wild and Tiny Beautiful Things
What I’ve really learned in my 43 years is that the body does not lie; the body actually tells you what’s right and wrong. If you get a sinking feeling in your stomach or a heavy heart about something, you shouldn’t do it; and if you get a lifting, light feeling in your body, you should.
Recorded Tina Essmaker, The Great Discontent, 10 July 2012 source ↗
Alan Cumming Scottish actor, producer, director, writer and presenter
It’s a gut thing. There’s no rhyme or reason to it.
Recorded Catherine Cohen, Interview Magazine, 10 July 2019 source ↗

More from A.J. Jacobs

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Question What is an unusual habit or an absurd thing that you love? Daily life
I like to watch Netflix on double-speed. My wife says it ruins movies, but I love being able to watch twice as many movies in the same amount of time. And sometimes it doesn’t even feel rushed. I recently watched “Manchester by the Sea” on double-speed. I kind of wanted triple-speed for that one. I can’t imagine watching that in normal time.
Recorded Naomi Imatome-Yun, Blue Zones interview, November 2018 source ↗
Question Which living person do you most admire, and why? Values & belief
The inventor of the modern zarf. “Zarf” is the name of the cardboard sleeve that goes around your coffee cup and keeps your fingers from getting burnt. I love the little masterpieces all around us that we take for granted. By the way, zarfs have a long history — there were gold and tortoise shell zarfs back in ancient China. But the modern zarf was created in 1992 in Portland by Jay Sorensen. It’s called the Java Jacket. Thanks Jay!
Recorded Naomi Imatome-Yun, Blue Zones interview, November 2018 source ↗

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