Aspire to “good enough” rather than “the best” when making decisions, stopping your search as soon as an option meets your standards. This approach simplifies decision-making and prevents feelings of failure that arise from endless optimization in a world of abundant choices.
Before evaluating options for major life decisions, ask yourself “Why am I doing this?”, “What kind of person do I aspire to become?”, and “What do I want to care about?”. This self-reflection helps define your standards and ensures choices align with your desired life trajectory and personal growth.
Do not solely rely on the rational choice theory of maximizing utility by quantifying outcomes and probabilities for most life decisions. This method is disastrous because real-life choices are rarely like casino gambles and cannot be accurately reduced to numbers.
Focus on “eudaimonia” – living a good, meaningful life, achieving, and doing things of significance – rather than just seeking momentary “smiley face” happiness. True happiness often involves suffering in service of larger objectives, which focusing on “atoms of happiness” can obscure.
Be a thoughtful and reflective person in your decision-making, rather than slavishly pursuing quantification when it’s inappropriate. This allows you to learn from past experiences and adapt your evaluations for future decisions, recognizing that choices are rarely final.
Recognize and accept that most significant decisions are not “one and done,” will involve inherent uncertainty, and will never be perfect. This mindset fosters adaptability and allows you to continuously reflect and adjust your life and values to make the chosen path a better one over time.
Acknowledge that different life purposes and desires, such as career ambition and family responsibilities, can conflict and require internal negotiation. Be open to resetting your sights and adapting your goals to prioritize what truly matters for your overall well-being.
Strive for a deep understanding of yourself – your standards, values, and aspirations – and the relevant environment before making decisions. This understanding, though difficult and imperfect, is crucial for making intelligent guesses and evaluating if an option is truly “good for you.”
Devote time, effort, and reflection to decisions in proportion to their actual importance in your life. This prevents excessive rumination over minor choices while ensuring adequate consideration for major, life-altering decisions.
Understand and accept that every decision you make comes with opportunity costs, meaning you will inevitably miss out on other potential experiences or outcomes. This perspective helps manage expectations and reduces disappointment by acknowledging the aspects of life you’re leaving behind.
Use tools like spreadsheets to identify and structure the important aspects and available options of a decision, ensuring nothing crucial is overlooked. However, avoid filling cells with numbers and expecting the decision to be automatically made, as that’s a fantasy.