In this book by Barry Schwartz, he mentions how choice is good, but when it comes to unlimited or overwhelming choices; more is less. Choice can actually paralyze and reduce our happiness when we cannot handle them.
This book is written in a very American context, however it is not a strange scenario to developed countries. In fact, I would recommend this book to every Singaporean. We have been growing up in a sea of choices, forks in the roads everywhere. However, these choices have not been making us happier. If you have ever found joy in doing the simple things, and found peace where there is no brain wrecking decisions to make, this book is for you.
A persistent theme in the book is the differences in Maximizers and Satisfiers. Maximizers want the best, comparing constantly with others, trying to run the rat race to win, looking back frequently to see if their decisions were well made. Satisfiers are looking for the "good enough", they settle for what suits them well, looking forward, not looking back to criticize their decisions.
Satisfiers are typically happier as they compare less, and perhaps they "know what they want". Maximizers have the need to want the best, and "the best" is constantly changing, they want to get the most out of things, and it is often overwhelming.
However, no one is a complete Satisfier or Maximizer. A guy may be a Maximizer when purchasing a new car, but a Satisfier when choosing a new shirt. He may be comparing cars, scouring the internet for reviews, test driving all the models, only to moan and groan 1 week after purchasing that new car, because PERHAPS that other car is better.
The more our choices, the higher our expectations. The higher our expectations, the greater the chance for disappointment.
Finally, although this is a great book, I must warn that its a fairly tough book to completely comprehend. Plenty of meta-cognition processes and introspection is required. Definitely not a relaxing read.
Highly recommended.
Jeremy
