Decision Dilemmas - How to Stop Overthinking Trivial Choices
- Tim Thürnau
- 1. Okt. 2024
- 3 Min. Lesezeit
Hello friend,
Ever find yourself spending an absurd amount of time deciding what to watch on Netflix, only to end up watching the same show you've seen ten times? Or dithering over which brand of toothpaste to buy as if it were a life-altering decision? - Well, i do! Let’s dive into why we waste so much time on decisions that matter the least and how we can reclaim that time.
The Paradox of Choice
Fredkin's paradox highlights this odd phenomenon: the more similar two choices seem, the less the decision should matter, yet the harder it is to choose between them. We often find ourselves stuck in decision purgatory over the most trivial matters, wasting precious time and energy.
The Modern Dilemma
In our age of abundance, we're constantly bombarded with choices, from what to eat for dinner to which show to binge-watch next. According to various polls, people estimate they spend between 2.5 and 3 hours per day making trivial decisions. That's around 1,000 hours—or 40 days—of dithering per year, not including the bigger decisions like where to live or who to marry. Our brains, evolved for a simpler life, are overwhelmed by the labyrinth of modern possibilities.
Philosophical Razors to Simplify Decisions
The key to managing modern decision overload is employing “philosophical razors” that cut through the noise and simplify our choices. Here are a few strategies:
Embrace the discomfort: If you can't decide between two equally difficult choices, take the path that's more challenging in the short term. This leverages our tendency to overvalue short-term discomfort and undervalue long-term benefits. So, choose the tougher option now for greater rewards later.
Two-Minute Miracle: If a task will take less than two minutes, do it immediately. Keeping these trivial tasks on your mental to-do list costs more time and energy than just doing them right away. This helps lift the burden of unresolved decisions and frees up mental space for more important matters.
Friend Zoned: If you’re stuck, pretend you’re deciding for a friend. We're often better at solving other people's problems than our own because detachment yields objectivity. By viewing yourself in the third person, you can achieve the same level of detachment and make more rational decisions.
The Nope Test: If you can’t decide, the answer is no. In an age of endless options, every choice has an opportunity cost. If you're not eager about an option, saying no leaves room for opportunities that truly excite you. Conversely, if you rarely have options, consider saying yes to avoid missing out.
Future You Says Hi: Consider your future self’s perspective. One powerful technique is the 10:10:10 strategy: think about how a decision will affect you in 10 minutes, 10 months, and 10 years. This helps combat immediate gratification urges by focusing on long-term outcomes.
Closing the Loop
By employing these strategies, we can close the mental loops that keep us in decision limbo. Whether it’s deciding to do something or not, taking action ends the indecision and frees up our minds.
How to Wing It
This week, try applying the Two-Minute Rule. If a task or decision will take less than two minutes, do it immediately. Observe how this small change can lift the mental burden and make room for more significant decisions.
Final Thoughts
We live in a world brimming with choices, and our brains aren’t always equipped to handle the overload. By simplifying our decision-making process, we can spend less time dithering and more time enjoying life. Here’s to cutting through the noise and making decisions with confidence and ease.
Bridging Worlds
If you want to see me wing it, I do a podcast with cool people. You should subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
This week on Bridging Worlds, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Christina Wulf, the inspiring founder of Closd, a company focused on sustainable products and transparent supply chains. Christina shared her journey into entrepreneurship, starting a business with her brother, and the challenges of working with new materials in the pursuit of sustainability. One of the most thought-provoking moments in our conversation? “It’s not about doing it perfectly from the start—it's about starting, learning, and growing along the way.”
In this episode, Christina gives us a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build a sustainable company from the ground up, navigate family dynamics in business, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Her reflections on resilience and passion are truly inspiring.
If you're passionate about entrepreneurship, sustainability, or finding your own balance between work and personal life, you won't want to miss this conversation!
Stay tuned for the episode release and join us as we explore the art of sustainable business with Christina Wulf!
Keep winging it, and I’ll see you in the next one.
Big love,
Tim