Don't think about it.

This post is inspired by Jay's Journal that aired last night as part of Daily Planet on the Discovery Channel. Jay's Journal is a regular editorial from Jay Ingram - co-host of Daily Planet.

The title of the column is Unconscious Decision. The premise is that over-thinking a decision is not healthy. Research shows that the less time spent thinking about an involved decision the happier you'll be with what you decide.

Click here to watch the video clip. (Windows Media - length: 3 minutes and 10 seconds)

In this clip Jay Ingram discusses the process of buying a new couch and the difference between weighing the pro's-and con's versus buying on impulse simply because you like the couch you just saw. You'll likely be happier if you avoid thinking too much about the purchase.

We can all relate to the experience of having a "Eureka" moment where suddenly something occurs to you without thinking about it. In that circumstance you have already become familiar with a problem, but after forgetting about it your sub-conscious mind discovers the solution.

Let's extend the concept of Jay's Journal to the business decision making process. How many times has your project team kept going in circles trying to make a decision? Perhaps it is best to get everyone's first impression right off-the-bat... Discuss some of the ideas so that everyone has some familiarity and leave it at that until a follow-up meeting tomorrow. Similarly, don't over think some of the decisions - if there is consensus, go with it.

... what do you think?