Name: Anonymous 2013-08-19 23:02
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The best decision are made when you have choice, but not too much choice. Here's how to manage life's choice-points.
Psychologist Barry Schwartz, author of The Paradox of Choice suggests that there are two types of decision maker. The first group, which he calls maximisers, are people who want the absolute best. They have to examine every choice or they fear that they are not making the most of their opportunities. However, some people take the view that life's too short, so we shouldn't obsess over making choices. He calls people in this second category satisficers: these are people who look at some of the options and choose one that might not be the best, but it's good enough.
Generally speaking, says Schwartz, we should strive to be satisficers rather than maximisers, because satisficers are usually happy with the choice they have made. In contrast, maximisers often come to regret their decision.
Of course, some decisions are more significant than others. So how can we make the best possible decision about something important? Well, we can sift through as many options as we are able to, and then in our own time make the best decision we can, considering all the available options we are aware of at the time. Having decided, we act. At this point, for the sake of our mental well-being as much as anything, we need to live with our choice and not beat ourselves up if it looks like better options might have become available.
Jemima on the phone : "HEY BEN, I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING YOU AROUND TONIGHT - OH?
OH, THAT'S TOO BAD, HONEY ... SURE, OF COURSE, TOMORROW. 'NIGHT, BABE."
Jemima hang up her phone.
Jemima to Hayley : "*SIGH* I SUPPOSE YOU'LL HAVE TO DO FOR COMPANY TONIGHT."
The best decision are made when you have choice, but not too much choice. Here's how to manage life's choice-points.
Psychologist Barry Schwartz, author of The Paradox of Choice suggests that there are two types of decision maker. The first group, which he calls maximisers, are people who want the absolute best. They have to examine every choice or they fear that they are not making the most of their opportunities. However, some people take the view that life's too short, so we shouldn't obsess over making choices. He calls people in this second category satisficers: these are people who look at some of the options and choose one that might not be the best, but it's good enough.
Generally speaking, says Schwartz, we should strive to be satisficers rather than maximisers, because satisficers are usually happy with the choice they have made. In contrast, maximisers often come to regret their decision.
Of course, some decisions are more significant than others. So how can we make the best possible decision about something important? Well, we can sift through as many options as we are able to, and then in our own time make the best decision we can, considering all the available options we are aware of at the time. Having decided, we act. At this point, for the sake of our mental well-being as much as anything, we need to live with our choice and not beat ourselves up if it looks like better options might have become available.
Jemima on the phone : "HEY BEN, I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING YOU AROUND TONIGHT - OH?
OH, THAT'S TOO BAD, HONEY ... SURE, OF COURSE, TOMORROW. 'NIGHT, BABE."
Jemima hang up her phone.
Jemima to Hayley : "*SIGH* I SUPPOSE YOU'LL HAVE TO DO FOR COMPANY TONIGHT."