Fear to miss the best option prevents us from making decisions

According to studiesWhen Choice is Demotivating: Can One Desire Too Much of a Good Thing?When we have fewer choices, we are more satisfied with their decision. And attempts not to miss the best result in uncertainty, frustration, stress, Sorrow and unhappiness.

Renowned psychologist Barry Schwartz (Barry Schwartz) called the people who are always trying to find the best solution, maximizers. They go into the tedious study of all possible options, spending a lot of time and effort. But because of the limitations of thinking is simply impossible to evaluate every available option. Eventually maximizer less satisfied with their choice than the "moderate" people. Those who take decisions quickly, without considering a million options.

In his book "The paradox of choice"Schwartz described an experiment with buyers. One group was offered to try six varieties of jam and choose what they want to buy. And the other - 24 species. The second group was much harder to make the right choice. According to Schwartz, only 3% of people in the end made the purchase. "Wide choice may discourage consumers as forced to make greater efforts to make a decision. Therefore, consumers simply do not buy the product ", - he explains.

When you need to consider too many factors, people start looking for the best option. Thus, for example, occurs at buying a car. It is necessary to take into account the price, reliability, capacity, warranty, color. The process of selection is very tiring, but the result is still possible to remain dissatisfied.

Learn to settle for a good one without seeking unattainable ideal. Otherwise you will not achieve anything.

Moderation - the decision-making strategy that seeks a satisfactory result, but not optimal.

Choose the first option that meets your needs. Or option that matches most of the criteria. But do not look ideal.

Schwartz advises to follow such a plan when you need to make a decision:

• Define your goals and evaluate the importance of each of them.
• Group the options. Think of how likely each of them will satisfy your desires. Choose the winning.
• Keep in mind the consequences of the choices made to reformulate its goals and vision for the future.

Most often impossible to make the best choice and without much thought. Rely on your intuitionDo not get hung up on finding the ideal and evaluate each option only on its merits, and not in comparison with others. Life is easier when you learn to be content with a good option, not to chase after the best.

see also

• The disease is more: why strive for the ideal bad →
• Why not strive for the ideal →
• 7 informed decision-making models →