Announcement posted by Invigorate PR 11 Jun 2025
If you've ever walked out of a job on impulse, maxed out a credit card trying to feel better, sent an angry message that destroyed a relationship, or turned to alcohol to numb emotional pain, you're not alone. According to mental resilience expert Gary Fahey, these aren't simply lapses in judgment, they're warning signs.
"Bad decisions don't happen in a vacuum. They're usually driven by emotional overwhelm, stress, shame or unresolved pain. You're not making logical choices, you're reacting to how you feel in the moment, Fahey said.
Fahey, a former elite federal police officer turned globally recognised crisis intervention specialist and high-performance expert, said he's worked with people who've gambled away their savings, cheated on partners, sabotaged career opportunities, nearly bankrupted their businesses or ghosted friends and family, not because they're bad people, but because they didn't know how to cope.
"When you're burnt out, severely stressed or emotionally disconnected, your brain starts looking for instant relief. That's when people say yes to things they shouldn't, avoid conversations they need to have or run from problems instead of facing them," Fahey said.
But perhaps the biggest mistake is not seeking help.
"Many people, particularly high achievers, believe asking for help is admitting failure. They fear judgment, exposure or losing control," Fahey added.
"They convince themselves they can handle it alone, until it all collapses and by then, they're not just dealing with one bad decision, they're facing the fallout from dozens."
Fahey believes the right help can change everything. With the proper guidance, people can build emotional awareness, stop reacting from fear or ego and start making decisions that serve their long-term wellbeing and improve performance outcomes.
"I've helped people who were on the brink, relationships shattered, careers derailed, substance abuse taking hold and they've turned it around. You can't undo the past, but you can stop it from becoming your future," he said.
"People who are facing situations involving perpetual bad decision making, often don't need a counsellor, they need a crisis intervention specialist.
"They need help to navigate the now and protect what they have so they don't risk losing more. Once things have stabilised and we start rebuilding, they can then look at what other type of help they need.
"Often this involves developing structure and putting in place systems to guide their decision making moving forward."
Fahey's message is clear: a bad decision doesn't make you broken but pretending you're fine while everything crumbles will.
Some people consistently make bad decisions because they're driven by emotion, stress, fear or unresolved trauma, not logic. When in survival mode, the brain seeks short-term relief over long-term outcomes, leading to impulsive or self-sabotaging choices. This cycle becomes habitual if left unchecked. Change starts with awareness, recognising emotional triggers, followed by accountability and structure. With the right support and strategies, people can reset their decision-making patterns and regain control of their outcomes.
About Gary Fahey
Gary Fahey is a former high-ranking officer with the Australian Federal Police, now one of the country's most in-demand crisis intervention specialists and workplace performance experts. After experiencing his own highly publicised breakdown, he founded a highly respected consultancy to help individuals and organisations navigate stress, high performance and personal resilience.
Today, he works with leaders across a broad range of industries to prevent burnout and restore performance and life balance. His clients include CEOs, athletes, first responders, entrepreneurs and everyday Australians committed to taking back control of their lives.
Garyfahey.com