The Art of Choosing

Are You Aware of Your Choices?

Life is a continuous journey of decision-making. From the moment we wake up to the time we go to bed, we're faced with an array of choices. According to Eva Krockow, lecturer at the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom, the average person makes an astonishing 35,000 decisions each day. This overwhelming number of choices can lead to decision fatigue, leaving us feeling drained and unsatisfied. But have you ever stopped to consider how these choices shape our happiness and well-being??

Happiness is not about making the perfect choice, but about making the choice that's perfect for you.

Is More Freedom Leading to Less Satisfaction?

In his seminal book "The Paradox of Choice," psychologist Barry Schwartz introduces us to two types of decision-makers: 'maximizers' and 'satisficers.' Maximizers, faced with a decision, seek the absolute best option. They scour every available choice, painstakingly weigh the pros and cons, and only settle when they're certain they've found the best. On the other hand, satisficers are content with 'good enough.' They evaluate their options until they find one that meets their criteria, and then they stop. It's not about settling for less, but about finding what works and sticking with it.

Schwartz argues that in the pursuit of happiness, being a satisficer can be a boon. While maximizers may theoretically make 'better' choices, the stress and regret associated with their decision-making process can lead to less happiness overall. This argument is not a standalone idea. It's echoed and supported by various research studies that delve into the intricate relationship between our choices and our happiness.

For instance, Eiji Yamamura's study reveals that knowing one's income position can affect their subjective well-being. This aligns with Schwartz's argument, suggesting that being content with a 'good enough' income can enhance happiness. It's not about earning more than everyone else, but about earning enough to meet your needs and desires.

Similarly, the research by Daniele Quercia and his team found that people prefer routes that are beautiful, quiet, and happy over the shortest ones. This study highlights the benefits of being a 'satisficer.' It's not about getting to your destination the fastest way possible, but about choosing a route that makes the journey enjoyable.

Other studies, like those by Lewis Mitchell and his team, Teng Guo and Lingyi Hu, and Stefano Bartolini and Francesco Sarracino, further underscore the importance of considering emotional factors, socio-economic conditions, and long-term factors when making choices. These studies collectively suggest that being a 'satisficer' can lead to greater happiness and well-being.

What's Your 'Good Enough'? Identifying the Balance in Choices

In the quest for happiness, it's crucial to define what 'good enough' means for each of us. As I've discussed in my previous article, setting the 'good enough' criteria involves understanding our needs, values, and what truly matters to us. It's about finding the balance between striving for the best and being content with what we have.

The 'good enough' criteria is not about settling for mediocrity. It's about focusing on the right things and wisely choosing our areas of expertise. It's about building an ecosystem where we can extend to specialized solutions where needed.

The perceived value of goods and services lies in the sweet spot of technology (tools, infrastructure, procedures), economy (money and efforts), and psychology (perception, behaviors, habits). The sweet spot is this area where it is simply good enough.

So, how do we find this sweet spot?

First, we need to measure the perception gap. We need to confront measured technology-related matrices like service level agreements, mean time to resolve, customer effort score, etc., with the perception of the users about them. If the perception is lower than the achieved technology matrices, we need to improve the perception, not technology. If the perception is higher than technology matrices, we need to redefine our 'good enough' criteria.

Second, we need to stimulate excitement during the journey and ensure that people get what they asked for. People will remember only two experiences – the one at the peak (most excited or most annoyed) and the one at the end of the journey (did they get what they wanted). Transparency and predictability are key to building excitement – people are less anxious if they know when things will happen and can track and be informed about the key milestones.

Lastly, we need to give people control over their decisions. Too many selection options can paralyze people's decisions. We need to manage selection options (not too many but not too few). We need to define profiles with predefined selection options and collect signals to advise (not push) on the most adequate personalized options.

By defining our 'good enough' criteria, we can make decisions that align with our values and enhance our happiness and well-being.

The Practical Guide - Choice Navigator

Now that we've explored the theory, let's delve into the practical aspect. How can we navigate the maze of decisions to enhance our perceived happiness and well-being?

Personal Life: Finding Your 'Good Enough'

In our personal lives, the 'good enough' criteria can be a powerful tool for enhancing happiness. Start by identifying your needs and values. What truly matters to you? Once you've identified these, use them as a guide to make decisions. For instance, if you value health and fitness, choosing to exercise regularly could be a 'good enough' decision that enhances your happiness and well-being.

Remember, it's not about having the best of everything, but about making the best of everything you have. Whether it's choosing a hobby, planning a vacation, or deciding what to cook for dinner, aim for choices that meet your 'good enough' criteria.

Professional Life: Maximizing Satisfaction

In the professional realm, the 'good enough' criteria can help you navigate career decisions and workplace challenges. Consider what tasks and projects align with your skills and interests. Don't strive to do everything. Instead, focus on what you're good at and what you enjoy. This could mean delegating certain tasks or saying no to projects that don't align with your 'good enough' criteria.

For example, if you're a creative person working in a marketing role, you might find that brainstorming new campaign ideas or designing promotional materials meets your 'good enough' criteria. On the other hand, analyzing market data or managing budgets might not. In this case, delegating these tasks to colleagues who excel in these areas could be a 'good enough' decision.

The Journey Continues: Embracing the 'Good Enough'

As we continue our journey through the maze of decisions, let's embrace the 'good enough' criteria. Remember, it's not about settling for less, but about finding what works and sticking with it. It's about reducing stress, avoiding regret, and enhancing our happiness and well-being.

So, the next time you're faced with a decision, ask yourself: Is this 'good enough'? If the answer is yes, then go for it. And remember, the journey is just as important as the destination. So, let's make the journey a happy one.

Conclusion: The Power of Choice

In conclusion, our choices have a profound impact on our happiness and well-being. By understanding the paradox of choice, embracing the 'good enough' criteria, and applying these concepts in our personal and professional lives, we can navigate the maze of decisions with confidence and ease.

So, take control of your choices.

References

1. Schwartz, Barry. The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less. Harper Perennial, 2005.
2. Yamamura, Eiji. "Where do I rank? Am I happy?: learning income position and subjective-wellbeing in an internet experiment." Link
3. Quercia, Daniele, Rossano Schifanella, and Luca Maria Aiello. "The Shortest Path to Happiness: Recommending Beautiful, Quiet, and Happy Routes in the City." Link
4. Mitchell, Lewis, et al. "The Geography of Happiness: Connecting Twitter sentiment and expression, demographics, and objective characteristics of place." Link
5. Guo, Teng, and Lingyi Hu. "Economic Determinants of Happiness." Link
6. Bartolini, Stefano, and Francesco Sarracino. "It's not the economy, stupid! How social capital and GDP relate to happiness over time." Link
7. Marcinkowski, Janusz. "How Good is 'Good Enough'?" Link
8. CNN Health: Decision fatigue: What it is and how to combat it

Note: This article has been created using various AI models; however, all outcomes have been validated, and the author, Janusz Marcinkowski, assumes full accountability for the content.