Choices

I read this article today -- an interview with Barry Schwartz, author of the book "The Paradox of Choice." Very timely as a conversation I had with my mother last night touched on a lot of these same issues -- particularly noticing what you're grateful for more and comparing what you're doing to what other people are doing less. I really need to learn that, as he says, "good enough is good enough." I'm one of those people that wants to research every option in order to make the best decision, but then end up totally overwhelmed by the endless barrage of choices.

Take my digital camera purchase, for instance. When I first started looking, I did a lot of research but was unable to find a clear winner. Paralyzed by indecision, I waited. Then I went through another round of research, finally bought a camera, and guess what? I'm not even that happy with it. I probably would have done just as well to go to one store and buy the camera that the salesperson recommended.

Is it really worth it to dedicate all that time and effort to decisions that, at the end of the day, really aren't that important? I think not. Wow, that's a big paradigm shift for me.