The Paradox of Choice

“The Paradox of Choice” made famous in the book by Barry Schwartz (no relation!) shows us that the more choices we have, the more we are unable to make one.

The most relevant modern example is finding it difficult to choose a show on Netflix because of everything else you could be watching… not being able to choose a romantic partner because there are too many fish in the sea…

It can be specific, but it can also be as general and massively important as: what do I do today, with my time, or with my life? As our world advances, we are only going to continue having more and more choices.

So how the hell do we choose?

WHAT MICKEY MOUSE AND I HAVE TO SAY…

The first thing to know off-the-bat is that there is rarely a wrong choice. Every choice will have a consequence that we cannot control, so unless it’s unethical or illegal, just pick something that feels right in the moment.

After all, we are supposed to focus on the present, aren’t we? So for now: let’s not assume the worst for our decisions - or think too far down the line.

Like a line I heard in a Disneyland show once. The young, shy worker must decide if she wants to step into the starring role. She asks: “What if everything goes wrong?”

Mickey Mouse turns to her and says: “What if everything goes right?!”

(aka trust your gut and give it your all. And most importantly, don’t regret it… )

CHOOSING WHAT TO CHOOSE

When you go to a restaurant, and you find an item you like, when you return, do you stick with that same thing over and over again? Or do you try something new? Most people statistically tend to stick with what they like…

In some situations, that’s considered playing it safe or less adventurous/experimental. In other situations, it’s actually the best way to minimize less meaningful or trivial decision-making in order to save more time and energy for bigger ones. 

Like when we hear about Steve Jobs or Mark Zuckerberg wearing the same thing every day. Or Oprah developing the same morning ritual for decades.

The point is, today we have more choices in more situations than ever before. Including what to make choices about in the first place. Talk about major decision paralysis…

LESS IS MORE

Now, we need more things to do literally the simplest things in the world.

We have added apps on our phones to remind us to take a drink from our mechanically-engineered bottles of alkaline-activated charcoal-based (or is it charcoal-free?) water from the Arctic mountains. We used to just drink water when we were thirsty.

We don’t need more things to eat, sleep, drink, or breathe. We need less!

Sit with yourself for a moment, check in with your body. Ask yourself what you need. If the answer is that you need some sleep to think more clearly, take a nap.

Stop adding things to your to-do list and do instead.

Stop adding extra layers to your activities and be active instead.

Or better yet, just be.

WHAT TO CHOOSE NEXT

In your next decision, and every decision, there is a certain amount of right and wrong.

You want to make the best decision you can in the moment with the information you have available. It’s called Utilitarianism. And I suggest it because it’s that simple.

There’s an anti-philosophical or spiritual nature to it. A detachment that tells you that your very next decision is just one of a million computations we will make throughout the day. So once we make the choice, we shouldn’t regret or rejoice in it.

Just move to the next…