Happiness Myth No. 4: Youll Be Happier If You Insist on The Best.
Maybe not. As Barry Schwartz explains in his fascinating book, The Paradox of Choice, there are two types of decision makers. Satisficers (yes, satisficers) make a decision once their criteria are met; when they find the hotel or the pasta sauce that has the qualities they want, theyre satisfied. Maximizers want to make the best possible decision; even if they see a bicycle that meets their requirements, they cant make a decision until theyve examined every option.
Studies suggest that satisficers tend to be happier than maximizers. Maximizers expend more time and energy reaching decisions, and theyre often anxious about their choices. They find the research process exhausting, yet cant let themselves settle for anything but the best.
Its one of the Secrets of Adulthood: Most decisions dont require extensive research. In some situations, the happier course is to know when good enough is good enough, and not to worry about making the perfect choice.
Are you an Over-Buyer or an Under-Buyer?
This distinction encapsulates one of my very favorite (if not most weighty) personal insights into human nature: the difference between over-buyers and under-buyers.
Its not particularly productive to be in too deep as an over- or under-buyer; both offer certain advantages but also some definite drawbacks.
Does one of these descriptions fit you?
Youre an over-buyer if
--You buy several summer outfits for your as-yet-unborn baby, then it turns out he outgrows those clothes before the weather warms up.
--You often lay in huge supplies of slow-moving items like shampoo or cough medicine.
--You often make a purchase, such as a tool or tech gadget, with the thought, This will probably come in handy.
--You have a long list of stores to visit before you travel.
--You find yourself throwing things awaymilk, medicine, even cans of soup because theyve hit their expiration date.
--You buy items with the thought, This will make a great gift! without having a recipient in mind.
--You think, Buying these things shows that Im responsible, organized, and thoughtful.
Youre an under-buyer if
--You buy saline solution, which you use every morning and night, one bottle at a time.
--You often scramble to buy an item like a winter coat or bathing suit after the point at which you need it -- and often, these items are sold out by the time you show up at a store.
--Youre suspicious of specialized objects and resist buying things dedicated very specific uses: suit bags, special plastic plates and cutlery for children, hand cream, rain boots, hair conditioner.
--You often need to come up with a makeshift solution, such using soap because youve run out of shaving cream, because you dont have what you need.
--You often consider buying an item, then decide, Ill get this some other time or Maybe we dont really need this.
--If you must buy something, you buy as little as possiblesay, by putting $10 of gas in the car.
--You think, Not buying these things shows that Im frugal and not a consumerist sucker.
Me? Im primarily an over-buyer. Although, I have some elements of underbuying in me too...
Over-buyers feel stressed because theyre hemmed in by stuff. They often dont have enough storage space for everything theyve bought, or they cant find what they have. They feel oppressed by the number of errands they believe they need to do, and by the waste and clutter often created by their over-buying.
Under-buyers feel stressed because we dont have the things we need. We make a lot of late-night runs to the drugstore. (I constantly run out of saline solution.) Were surrounded with things that are shabby, dont really work, or arent exactly suitable.
So under-buyersbuy what you need, without procrastination! Dont wait for the first morning of your ski trip to buy ski gloves!
Over-buyersthink it over before you whip out your wallet! You dont need a ten-year supply of toothpaste!
What do you think? Do you recognize yourself in either of these categories?
Maybe not. As Barry Schwartz explains in his fascinating book, The Paradox of Choice, there are two types of decision makers. Satisficers (yes, satisficers) make a decision once their criteria are met; when they find the hotel or the pasta sauce that has the qualities they want, theyre satisfied. Maximizers want to make the best possible decision; even if they see a bicycle that meets their requirements, they cant make a decision until theyve examined every option.
Studies suggest that satisficers tend to be happier than maximizers. Maximizers expend more time and energy reaching decisions, and theyre often anxious about their choices. They find the research process exhausting, yet cant let themselves settle for anything but the best.
Its one of the Secrets of Adulthood: Most decisions dont require extensive research. In some situations, the happier course is to know when good enough is good enough, and not to worry about making the perfect choice.
Are you an Over-Buyer or an Under-Buyer?
This distinction encapsulates one of my very favorite (if not most weighty) personal insights into human nature: the difference between over-buyers and under-buyers.
Its not particularly productive to be in too deep as an over- or under-buyer; both offer certain advantages but also some definite drawbacks.
Does one of these descriptions fit you?
Youre an over-buyer if
--You buy several summer outfits for your as-yet-unborn baby, then it turns out he outgrows those clothes before the weather warms up.
--You often lay in huge supplies of slow-moving items like shampoo or cough medicine.
--You often make a purchase, such as a tool or tech gadget, with the thought, This will probably come in handy.
--You have a long list of stores to visit before you travel.
--You find yourself throwing things awaymilk, medicine, even cans of soup because theyve hit their expiration date.
--You buy items with the thought, This will make a great gift! without having a recipient in mind.
--You think, Buying these things shows that Im responsible, organized, and thoughtful.
Youre an under-buyer if
--You buy saline solution, which you use every morning and night, one bottle at a time.
--You often scramble to buy an item like a winter coat or bathing suit after the point at which you need it -- and often, these items are sold out by the time you show up at a store.
--Youre suspicious of specialized objects and resist buying things dedicated very specific uses: suit bags, special plastic plates and cutlery for children, hand cream, rain boots, hair conditioner.
--You often need to come up with a makeshift solution, such using soap because youve run out of shaving cream, because you dont have what you need.
--You often consider buying an item, then decide, Ill get this some other time or Maybe we dont really need this.
--If you must buy something, you buy as little as possiblesay, by putting $10 of gas in the car.
--You think, Not buying these things shows that Im frugal and not a consumerist sucker.
Me? Im primarily an over-buyer. Although, I have some elements of underbuying in me too...
Over-buyers feel stressed because theyre hemmed in by stuff. They often dont have enough storage space for everything theyve bought, or they cant find what they have. They feel oppressed by the number of errands they believe they need to do, and by the waste and clutter often created by their over-buying.
Under-buyers feel stressed because we dont have the things we need. We make a lot of late-night runs to the drugstore. (I constantly run out of saline solution.) Were surrounded with things that are shabby, dont really work, or arent exactly suitable.
So under-buyersbuy what you need, without procrastination! Dont wait for the first morning of your ski trip to buy ski gloves!
Over-buyersthink it over before you whip out your wallet! You dont need a ten-year supply of toothpaste!
What do you think? Do you recognize yourself in either of these categories?
VIEW 13 of 13 COMMENTS
I haven't been able to get out for the past few days. Once I did, where did I go? Costco.