Incubating a wise decision

Gotta get more information to make a good decision
Can't have too much information
The more information, the better the decision

The cognitive strategies of the left brain predictably reason through the need for more information in order to make effective decisions in some of the following ways:

• Either I have enough information already or I don't. (dichotomous reasoning)
• There's no proof that I have enough and no way to verify that I don't need more (empirical reasoning)
• How I reach the ultimate decision has nothing to do with what information I make the decision with (compartmentalized reasoning)
• I'm in obvious danger of not having enough information to identify misinformation, false assumptions and mere conjectures (superficial reasoning)
• The need for more information is a given that is established by preparing to make a decision (categorical reasoning)
• More information makes the decision better because the resulting decision will address more issues and constituencies (reductionistic reasoning)
• The decision needs to be made with the best information possible and not get derailed by half-hearted efforts to gather information (convergent reasoning)

Meanwhile, the right brain can see all of these justifications for more information as flawed strategies. They each play into a process that will yield ineffective decisions. They pass up a process of arriving at a wise decision with less action. The right brain favors making decisions by a process of incubation that utilizes the left brain effectively.

To incubate a wise decision:

1. Consider reaching the decision by a combination of taking action and receiving what comes to mind (perspiration and inspiration)
2. Get a feeling for both leaving shaky ground where anxiety drove the decision making process and standing on solid ground of safety
3. Get a sense of being free to be more creative, playful and spontaneous with this opportunity
4. Take stock of what you already know about the entire situation that calls for some resolution or conclusion.
5. Tie as many of those facts together into a cohesive picture or story
6. Reflect on the accumulated inventory of known information and realize what remains a question, unknown or puzzle
7. Consider proceeding without more information and see how that feels in your heart or gut
8. Get more information if a felt sense arises to clear up a particular doubt, suspicion or curiosity
9. When it feels like the remainder can be handled by inspiration, stop taking action to make the decision.Put the decision on a back burner, sleep on it, or give it a rest until it comes back to mind out of the blue
10. When the decision dawns on you, appreciate how it feels and how it came to you
11. Observe how it combined what you found out for yourself and what came to you when you opened to receive it
12. Act on the basis of this wise decision which came by incubation.

You may notice that most of these steps won't break a sweat. The right brain works best when we are still, contemplative and fascinated with the present moment. Our left brain is afraid of being still because it handles dangerous situations with immediate actions. Being still connotes becoming the next meal for any predator larger or faster than our upright, two-footed bodies. Surviving calls for fight or flight, not serenity and receptivity according the hemisphere on the left.