Author: scatty

All of us have emotions, and being able to keep those emotions in check is a huge advantage in life. These people often tend to think rationally and make decisions based on reason and logic rather than how they’re feeling at that moment. There are some downsides, sure, but also plenty of advantages to this way of thinking.

You don’t want to ignore your feelings, but being able to analyze things without bias is a sign of critical thinking skills. Some of these traits are quite obvious, while others are subliminal and you may not have recognized them before. Let’s take a look at the people who think with their heads over their hearts, breaking down five surefire signs that you’re this type of person.

Calm in Tense Situations   

If you almost always have your wits about you and you think logically in tense situations, odds are you think with your head first. People who think with their hearts are typically highly sensitive and emotional people. People who think with their heads are quite the opposite. 

They are far better at composing themselves during times of high emotions and conflict. This can be an extremely useful trait, due to the efficiency and quick thinking, provided by those who think logically. Whether it be in your professional or personal life, it’s important to remain calm and diffuse any problematic situation.

Don’t Let Others’ Emotions Sway Your Decisions

Another way to tell if someone thinks with their head, rather than their heart is how much, or how little they are influenced by the emotions of people around them. When you are a logical thinker and decision-maker, more than likely, others will have a very difficult time attempting to pressure you through the use of their emotions. 

This trait can be extremely useful when making important personal decisions and standing your ground. At times, emotions can be weaponized and people who think logically tend to have more of an immunity against them. 

Can Come Off As Cold 

Coming off as cold in nature can sometimes be a characteristic in those who think logically, rather than those fueled by emotions. People who think with their hearts tend to be seen as warm, inviting, and friendly. 

On the other end of the spectrum, you have the people who think with their heads, who are usually fueled by knowledge, wit, blunt facts, and perhaps lack emotional warmth and depth. It’s not easy to hold the best of both worlds within a singular person and sometimes thinking with your head comes with a price. That’s not to say people who think logically aren’t warm and inviting. It’s important to have some form of emotional and logical balance.

Efficiency  

Efficiency is a wonderful thing when completing important and, perhaps, time-sensitive tasks. When you’re someone who thinks with their head, you’re more likely to struggle less academically, strategically, and when it comes to making choices quickly and efficiently. 

Emotions can override a person’s system and make it difficult to think and perform with a clear and worry-free mind. That’s why thinking logically has its benefits and can be a wonderful tool. 

Thriftiness

Those who think with their head more often tend to consider things analytically, and that typically bleeds over into finances. No matter what type of situation you’re in, you think of how much it will cost you both in the short and long terms. 

Someone that thinks with their head also usually has a budget that they stick to each month and are often checking their bank accounts to make sure everything looks right. Those who think with their hearts tend not to worry too much about short-term expenditures as they’re more focused on making people happy. If you’re someone who isn’t buying candy bars or tabloid magazines at grocery store checkouts, you likely think more with your head.

There are two main ways of thinking, with the first being highly analytical and processing all information as if it was binary. There are no emotions involved and pertain mostly to future planning and outcomes based on success or failure rather than feelings. Then, there’s the way of thinking where instant emotions are the biggest determining factor. This is what happens when you’re using the right side of your brain, but many say that it’s thinking with your heart.

There’s about a 50-50 split in the world between these types of people. If you’re looking for some signs that give away that you think with your heart more than your head, here are five to look out for. It’s not a bad thing to think with your heart, but it’s best to simply be aware of your thought process.

You’re Highly Emotional or Sensitive 

Do you feel as though your emotions are the driving force in your decision-making process? Are you more sensitive, or have a strong emotional response in most situations? Odds are, you think with your heart. 

People whose hearts make all the decisions are oftentimes highly sensitive people who react emotionally to simple, or intense scenarios. They can be influenced by others’ emotions and are extremely empathetic, which can be seen as a fabulous skill, or sometimes a flaw. 

You Get Easily Hurt or Offended 

When it comes to empaths and highly sensitive people who think with their hearts, they are prone to being hurt or offended far more easily. Even if someone’s intentions aren’t meant to be taken negatively. Emotionally driven people can mistake an innocent quip or gesture as something unsavory and hurtful. 

In the event that you find yourself in this situation, it’s best to communicate your feelings as best you can to one another to clear up any confusion. Being quick to take things negatively can be seen as a flaw, but healthy communication and boundaries are usually all it takes to make things run smoothly. 

You Go Out of Your Way To Help Others 

One of many incredible traits possessed by those who think with their heart is their sense of selflessness. Emotional people are quick to empathize with those down on their luck, or struggling. They’re also quick to lend a helping hand and do what they can within their limits to alleviate the pain and suffering someone may be experiencing. 

Thinking with your heart can be a blessing and a curse. On the bright side, you can do so much good for the world, but on the other hand, you can’t help everyone. It can cause conflicting feelings within those whose hearts lead the way. 

You Pay Attention to Minor Details 

Something that a lot of people can appreciate, paying attention to minor details is a sign you think with your heart. You can spot telltale signs that indicate that something might not be right with someone. From their vocal patterns to how they’re sitting, you notice these details more than anybody else. People who think with their heads wouldn’t be able to see these signs unless it was painfully obvious to the eye (like being extremely ill).

People who think with their hearts will also want to remedy any situation and see why the other person is acting differently. This way of thinking can come in handy when you’re a parent or teacher and notice any slight changes in patterns for children. 

You Think in the Short-Term

People who think with their heads often wonder how a decision today will impact them 10 years from now. Those who think with their hearts tend to wonder how a decision will impact them for the next 10 minutes. This can mean buying something on a whim without worrying about the financial impact or helping someone now even if it makes you late for something else.

Heart-thinkers tend to live life day-by-day instead of year-by-year, which can certainly lead to more memorable moments and higher highs but can also lead to lower lows. It’s a mixed bag, but it’s certainly not boring by any stretch.

There are a lot of ways in which people make decisions in their lives, though most of them tend to be very analytical. Most of us are thinking about the long-term and want to put a lot of time and thought into making anything. However, if there’s a decision that you have to make that isn’t quite as impactful on your overall life, it might be better to let randomness decide your next step.

If you’re someone who’s very left-brained and have been afraid to make a decision without analyzing every possible outcome, perhaps you need a push into allowing random decisions to happen. Here are five reasons why making random decisions can actually be a good thing in your life.

Triggers Your Sense of Wonder  

There’s a sense of wonder and magic instilled in nearly all of us from a very early age. As we age, that light can sometimes go out. Making decisions in the spur of the moment can help to bring some of that magic back to your life and connect you with your inner child. Add some spontaneity to your life and see what’s out there waiting for you. 

New Opportunities 

The gift of new opportunities and experience is an often overlooked benefit of making random and spontaneous decisions. Following the crowd and living your day-to-day life routinely and expectedly will offer you comfort. It may not always open your life up to new and rewarding opportunities and experiences. If you want to break free from the monotony, take the time to be random and go with the flow. You’ll be surprised where it may lead you, who you could meet, and how it will change the direction of your day or even your life. 

New Friends

Along with the possibility of new and exciting opportunities, making random decisions could also lead to many intriguing people you wouldn’t have met otherwise. If you’re already a social butterfly, or maybe a bit on the shy side, random choices could lead you to places likely outside of your comfort zone. It might be just what you need to expand your horizons. The people you meet could impact you in incredible ways and add depth to your life. You could do the same for them as well. There’s so much life to live and people to make the journey more interesting. Make life a journey and celebrate the friends you find along the way. 

Exploration  

Life is a journey and we’re meant to explore. There’s a reason past generations and civilizations packed their bags, risked it all, and explored new lands and seas. Of course, safety is important and it’s always better to prepare yourself when you’re traveling or exploring. Always let people know where you’re headed, have an emergency kit, plenty of food and water, bring a communication device, and never trespass. Besides the standard safety procedures, explore to your heart’s content. Choose your destinations at random and see what the world has to offer. You’ll be happy you did. 

Helps Practice Quick Thinking 

When you make decisions on the fly, without planning, it can have a wonderfully positive impact on your wit and quick thinking. Most of the time, daily life has to be somewhat monotonous and we need to know what to expect to a certain degree. It doesn’t always set us up to improve our critical thinking skills. Making random choices and going with the flow allows us to practice our quick thinking and increases our wit. Just like improv, there’s no set destination and everything is made up on the spot. It’s more of an “enjoy the journey” concept, rather than only wanting to make it to the destination. 

Making a random decision can be a great way to spice up your life a little bit and not go through the same old pattern of thinking that can grind us down over the months and years. Some of us have used random decisions to see what we’re going to have for dinner, how we’ll plan our weekend and other fun activities. Some even take random decisions very seriously and use randomness for life-changing decisions.

Before you make a potentially impactful decision randomly, there are some things that you should consider. Ask yourself these five questions and you’ll know whether or not making the decision at random is the right thing to do.

Is it Safe?

In life, especially throughout our younger years, safety is oftentimes thrown to the wayside. And maybe it’s because we feel invincible, we don’t take the time to process the consequences of our actions, or perhaps, we simply don’t care. When you’re making a random decision, it’s best to consider possible dangerous outcomes at least and come up with a safety plan in response to any bumps in the road. Safety doesn’t have to minimize enjoyment. It’s healthy to be cautious and you can still have fun while doing so.

How Will it Affect Yourself and Those Around You?

If you want to practice caution before making a decision on the spot, consider how it will affect you and those around you. Oftentimes we make decisions with a specific outcome in mind. We don’t always stop to consider the repercussions that could come upon others and even ourselves during the process. It’s usually smarter and highly considerate if you think before you act. More than likely, it will save you from dealing with complications in the future. 

Is it Financially Responsible?

Asking yourself if a spontaneous decision is financially practical is one of the most important factors you should consider before diving into the deep end. It’s not always the most fun part of decision-making, but it’s one you won’t regret taking the time to figure out. What’s the fun in making random decisions if it severely impacts you in a negative way financially, or otherwise? You don’t have to plan out every cent, of course. Depending on the severity of the decision you’re making should determine the amount of attention and planning you put into it.

Will it Have a Positive or Negative Outcome?

It’s common knowledge that no matter how hard we try we don’t always know what will happen next. That doesn’t mean we can’t attempt to plan for things in hopes of the outcome we desire. Some simple and focused planning can save you a headache in the future. When you’re considering making a quick decision, try to analyze the pros and cons. Try, to the best of your ability, to process whether your choice will produce a positive, or negative outcome. It may not always work out the way you wish, but your spontaneity has more likelihood to go smoothly if you think responsibly. 

Is it Something You’ll Enjoy?

Peer pressure and the emotional need to be liked and accepted can override our minds and make us do stupid things. Not all split decisions are made with complete readiness and willingness. It’s important to know if a spontaneous move is being made because you truly want to, or you feel pressured by others to do it. Never give in to unwanted and inappropriate pressure put upon you by others. If you ever feel uncomfortable, unsafe, or fearful, apply your quick thinking skills to make the safer choice by removing yourself from that situation as quickly as you can. No amount of admiration, or acceptance is worth risking your safety.