2.10.2007

Gallery: http://www.taylordavidson.com/santacruz/

Santa Cruz was not the original destination. Santa Cruz happened because the exit sign magically appeared right as Mom was reading and gushing about her memories of her holidays, and Dad made the quick change in direction. With time and freedom, the opportunities and range of choices had dulled our decision-making, but now, granted the opportunity we made a quick decision and changed plans on a dime.

On the drive down the coast from Oakland, sun sporadically popping through the rain clouds, we enjoyed vistas of the Pacific Ocean and the California coast as we drove down US 1. Riding in a big, cushy old American car, cruising down the highway, there was no question this impulse had guided us on the right path.

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Do we listen to our impulses enough?

Gladwell maintains that our “adaptive unconsious” can be our best source for decision making if we accept it rather than dismiss this instinctual response against more reasoned, methodological, yet incorrect ways of making choices. It can be dangerous, but my gut is usually right.

How is yours?