Paradox of Choices

Musings 1 Minute

Have you ever felt overwhelmed with simple everyday decisions? What to wear? Watch? What to buy? Where to go?

Few days back, the traffic was easy, and I reached home on time. After several weeks, I got time to watch TV on a weeknight. Easing into my recliner, I first surfed Netflix and Amazon Prime, found nothing interesting. I then moved to Disney Hotstar, then HoiChoii and Apple TV…

Finally, I switched back to Netflix and started watching a Limited Series only to stop after 10 mins as it was too gory. I realized that I had spent 30 mins just trying to figure what to watch!! Is that why, Netflix has come up with the option – ‘show me something’?

Another example about CHOICES. I had to attend an important meeting in office. I looked at my wardrobe, filled with dozens of clothes – Indian, Western, Indo-western…. I couldn’t decide what to wear. Finally, I picked something… all the while thinking and feeling bad that I don’t have anything good to wear (the logical me burst into gales of laughter….)

In both examples, I was experiencing Paradox of Choices: a psychological phenomenon where too many choices lead to less happiness, anxiety, and decision paralysis. And eventually less satisfaction when a decision is finally made… (due to FOMO or fear of missing out and decision fatigue).

For more details on Paradox of Choices, watch https://www.ted.com/talks/barry_schwartz_the_paradox_of_choice

Here’s what I try to do:

  • Limit choices: for example, minimize number of OTT subscriptions, spring clean my wardrobe every quarter
  • Create routines for repetitive work – what to wear to work on which days (based on color I style), what to eat for breakfast
  • Set time limits – this is most critical, especially when surfing Internet or OTT or social media

How do you address Paradox of Choices?

Unknown's avatar

Published by Padma Rajeswari

At the outset, I would like to thank you for stopping by my Blog. I believe that there is nothing right or wrong in this world. What’s right in this moment and context may be wrong in another moment and context. This belief has inspired me to name my blog ‘Perspectives’. Perspectives is a platform for me to share my experiences, thoughts and perspectives on various subjects. You may have a different point of view. I look forward to hearing them, these are the triggers for rich and deep conversations. On personal front, I live in Mumbai, India. I love to read; Somerset Maugham and Nevil Shute are my favorite authors. My favorite books are The Razor’s Edge, Mrs. Craddock, Chequer Board and Gone with the Wind. I am thankful to my father who inculcated the habit of reading in me early on. I am also passionate about traveling, I have been to most parts of India and to several countries across the globe. On professional front, I work in Human Resources function. Over two and half decades, I have worked across multiple industries and cultures. I focus on Leadership Development, Talent Management, Visioning and Culture, Large-scale change, Employee Listening & Engagement, Employee Well-being, Inclusive work culture, HR effectiveness, Behavior and Mind-set shifts through sustained interventions I currently lead Organization Effectiveness Function for Aditya Birla Group, a $44.3 billion conglomerate with 120000 employees across 35 countries. I sincerely hope that you will enjoy reading my blog. I look forward to your thoughts and suggestions. Thank you!

Published

Leave a comment