Why It Might Be a Good Idea to Simplify Your Decision Making

Life is always full of an assortment decisions that need to be made as well as different paths and approaches that have to be chosen. At the same time, one should consider that overly complex decision making processes or even having too many decision making moments in a given period of time may result in a variety of negative consequences.

This is why companies like Last Verdict exist in the first place, as a means to streamline the decision making process and reduce the number of options that need to be considered in a consumer context.

Here are just a few reasons why it might be a good idea to simplify your decision making as a whole.

Because too much choice can lead to inaction and stress
At first glance, it might seem as though having the largest number of possible options on offer would always be a good thing since it gives you plenty of freedom to make a particular choice or path that most resonates with you. While it is certainly important to have enough choices, on the contrary having too much choice can actually lead to stress, inaction, and the phenomenon known as “analysis paralysis.”

According to the psychologist Barry Schwartz, research indicates that, at least when it comes to consumer decisions, there is a “sweet spot” for the number of choices on offer, beyond which more choices actually significantly increases the odds that a prospective customer will not make a purchase at all. Another psychologist, Kelly McGonigal, author of “The Willpower Instinct”  also notes that the more decisions we have to make in a given period of time, the more we experience “decision fatigue” and heightened impulsivity as a result. Although it may seem paradoxical, too much decision making can really stall you.

Because at some point, you just have to listen to your intuition
One common reason for an overabundance of complexity in decision making is that people frequently try to get every possible variable “right” from a logistical point of view, before committing to a given decision. Obviously, it’s important to take practical factors into consideration when making a decision but at some point, trying to perfectly “fine tune” everything ends up being subject to the law of diminishing returns. A decision will never be totally “perfect.” At some point, you just have to listen to your intuition about the right path to take and this in and of itself, simplifies the decision making process.

Because a bit of simplicity is often just more fun
A bit of simplicity in your decision making and in other aspects of your life as well often just leads to a more fun and positive way to experience things. When all is said and done, a sense of simplicity can help you to pay attention to and engage with what’s right in front of instead of being blinded by excessive complexity. It can also alleviate stress and a sense of panic, therefore enabling you to enjoy the process more.

This is a contributed post.

Photo: Sure