Why do we get overwhelmed when we have too many choices? Should we make our own decisions or copy other people's? And how can Angela manage her sock inventory?
He's such a mensch.
I'm Angela Duckworth.
I'm Mike Mann, and you're listening to.
No stupid questions today on the show.
Why do we have such a hard time making decisions?
You're giving me more problems by giving me so many choices.
Hey, Angela, we have an interesting question today, and I am ready to dive in if you are.
I am ready.
Okay.
Hi, Angela and Mike.
NSQ has broached decision making a bunch of times, but I don't think you focused on the phenomenon of well informed, often otherwise successful people not making decisions, otherwise known as analysis paralysis.
So many brilliant people in my life are capable of making the most data driven and logical arguments and analyze things so thoroughly, yet ultimately cannot choose a path forward.
This question's from Alex, and he keeps going, but I have to admit that I'm already a little uncomfortable, given that I think he's describing me.
Maybe he meant to say, hi, Mike, seriously.
And, Mike, I know more about you than you think.
Okay?
Alex continues, it seems to me to fall into two broad categories.
They either get stuck because they make such strong arguments, both pro and against each course of action, or what seems more common, they debate with themselves and others and research things to such absurdity that sometimes the actions become irrelevant due to time or loss of opportunity.
He then gives a couple examples, like ordering dinner, where you read 45 minutes of Yelp reviews, Google exotic dishes, and then decide it's too late and just eat a frozen bagel.
Or how difficult it can be to buy a car because you look at every single possible optionality and then never buy anything.