Most of us probably know that we shouldn't make decisions based on emotions. Emotions tend to skew our thinking at that moment in time as one's feelings tend to overrule every other factor necessary to make a decision. Then again, there are times, when everything else is equal, that emotions can play a part in the decision-making process.
During my studies, we were taught that decision-making depends on the cost-benefit analysis as well as other non-numerical factors, but gut feeling wasn't one to be taken into consideration. However, there are many a times when gut feeling was / is important.
Some of the few who know my secret think that that I am
crazy, silly in fact. Although my decision for this may not seem
entirely logical, maybe because it isn't (?), I did do a few
calculations. For me, it isn't something that is entirely far-fetched. I
would still consider that my decision was made while I was of sound
mind - I did think this through many (and I really mean a lot) times before saying, "Yes, I am
gonna do this!" (well, not exactly in those words). I would say that my decision was based on 50% facts and figures, and 50% of what-if feelings.
The what-if-feelings analysis was based on the level of regret if I chose one action over another. Eventually, the level of regret that I would feel if I didn't take one action would be more intense than the regret of taking the other action. In a sense, it's still similar to looking at opportunity costs, without the figures. And opportunity cost is a factor in decision making. So hey, emotions can be considered as a factor in decision making, no?
