Module 149 - The Paradox of Choice

Why we do what we do  when it comes to decision making and choice

Most if not all people strive for a choice, more specifically, creating and having access to more options in everything. When we go to a grocery store, we want a wide variety of groceries to choose from. For example, if we want to purchase ketchup and go the isle in the grocery store where ketchup is sold, we see a significant selection of ketchup bottles to choose from. Examining several shelves filled with different ketchup containers, all of the sudden we don’t know which one to choose, because, we only need one, not fifteen or more. And what happens most of the time? We choose the same kind of ketchup, same brand, every time, because, we’ve purchased it before and enjoyed it. So, why do we need other ten or more kinds of ketchup to choose rom if we only need and will choose one, typically the same one each time? Because, we demand more choice to satisfy our inner desire to feel empowered to choose and satisfy our own egos. We don’t want to be limited to just one option or one product, and for someone else dictate the way we live our life. We want to make our own decisions and choices even if we already know what we will choose before even being presented with other alternatives.

Often, we get so frustrated with multitude of different options that’s in front of us, that we abandon the selection process without making a selection, because, we don’t know which option the best for us is, which option we would like more. So, often we walk away from making a decision because it’s just easier that way – keeping the status quo. At least we do not have to blame ourselves for potentially making a bad or wrong decision or choice.

This same feeling of safety and avoidance of a decision-making translates into how we live our life. If we are uncomfortable with a choice, we would avoid the process of making one whenever we can. Therefore, whenever we are faced with a need to make a decision to act and try something new, explore the unknown – something that’s never been done before, or has a certain level of risk associated with us making a choice to act or remain where we are in the safety zone, where we feel a sense of comfort, then more often than not we choose to stand still and avoid making a decision that has a potential of to change our present for better or for worse.

Why not choose what we love and stop wasting time navigating ourselves through a sea of other options and alternatives? Why not act today and pursue our passion or our hobby vs. being afraid to make a decision in fear of potential of failure? If we simplify our choice by focusing on what we actually need to reach our goal, and not on different options that sound or appear good in theory but do not get us closer to what we hope to achieve or accomplish, then there would be less frustration, stress, and worry in our lives. Not to mention the among of time we could potentially save by simplifying our decision-making process every day, because, we would not waste time on options or choices that introduce distractions on our path in pursuit of success. So, next time ask yourself a question – Do I really need fifteen different types or brands of ketchup or do I just need one to accomplish a goal? I hope that you asking yourself this question when faced with the need to make a choice or a decision regardless of a setting that you may be in, it will remind you about the importance and value of focus on the one thing – that what’s truly important to you and why, creating progress vs. stagnation. ​

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What are your thoughts?