People Tools for Business: 50 Strategies for Building Success, Creating Wealth, and Finding Happiness by Alan C. Fox

Author:Alan C. Fox
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781590792889
Publisher: SelectBooks Inc.
Published: 2014-09-28T14:00:00+00:00

EMOTION TRUMPS INTELLECT

I joked about every prominent man in my lifetime,

but I never met one I didn't like.

—WILL ROGERS

Epitaph

The brain may devise laws for the blood,

but a hot temper leaps o'er a cold decree

—SHAKESPEARE

The Merchant of Venice

Every decision you make, whether to move to Alaska or to forego bread at dinner, is based upon your emotions, your intellect, or a combination of both. My own decisions are based upon my emotions, verified by my intellect. When the decision is a close one, I reach the more enduring result when I allow my feelings to prevail. One evening I brought this idea up with my dad.

"This time you're dead wrong," he said. My dad and I have enjoyed a running difference of opinion on many issues for years. When I told him I was writing about how I thought "Emotion Trumps Intellect," Dad categorically disagreed with my premise. He believes that intellect trumps emotion.

My friend, David Beaird, is a noted director. When we attended one of his plays together there was a large reproduction of two reviews in the lobby. One was favorable, the other unfavorable. The reviews were headed by the director's statement on top, "You decide."

That is an effective strategy, so I'm going to present both sides of our argument and let you decide.

When my son Craig moved to Raleigh-Durham he asked me to help him find a home. On the first day of looking the realtor showed us seven houses. That evening Craig said, "Dad, you didn't express an opinion on any of the houses we saw today. Did you like any of them?"

"Craig, your job is to find a house you love. You're going to live in it, not me. If I love it and you don't, you shouldn't buy it. If you love it, then I'll give you my opinion and help you with the real estate details. Until you find a house you love my opinion is irrelevant."

The next day we did see a house that Craig loved (you can read more about this house in the foreword Craig wrote for People Tools and in the chapter describing People Tool #40 "After You, Gaston"). It was for sale by the owner. I believe that when you find something, or someone you love, go for it immediately. I insisted that we visit the owner that evening. Craig presented an offer, the owner negotiated, and in an hour we agreed on the terms of a sale. Emotion Trumps Intellect.

Last weekend at the Los Angeles Book Festival, my daughter Jill saw a rescue dog she instantly loved. Jill's family already owned two dogs, but she has seldom loved a dog at first sight before. That dog now lives with her in Northern California. Emotion triumphed.

Years ago Daveen and I were invited to dinner at the home of a friend. He wanted us to meet his new wife. She cooked an excellent dinner, the conversation was lively, and their hospitality pleasant.

On our drive home I turned to Daveen and said, "I don't like her.

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