Why Overthinking Decisions Makes Us Less Happy

More choice should make us happier. Turns out, it often does the opposite.

Whether it’s choosing a movie, buying a pair of jeans or helping your child pick school subjects, searching for the absolute best option can leave us anxious, regretful and less satisfied with what we eventually choose.

Justin and Kylie unpack the psychology of maximising versus satisficing and what the research reveals about decision-making. They explore why “good enough” can sometimes make us happier, how too many choices affect kids, and how to know when a decision deserves serious thought and when it’s time to stop searching.

KEY POINTS

• The difference between maximisers and satisficers
• Why finding the “best” option doesn’t always make us happier
• How too many choices can increase regret and dissatisfaction
• Why kids often benefit from fewer options
• How to decide what “good enough” looks like before you start searching
• Which decisions deserve more time and which ones don’t
• How parents can model confident decision-making

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

“If you can decide what’s going to be good enough before you start the search, then once you find it, you can stop the search.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Herbert Simon’s concept of “satisficing”
• Research by Sheena Iyengar, Barry Schwartz and Jonathan Wells on maximising and decision-making

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS

• Shrink the choice. Give children two or three options instead of an endless list.
• Set the standard first. Decide what “good enough” looks like before searching.
• Say it out loud. Let your kids hear you say, “This works. I’m happy with this choice.”
• Match the effort to the decision. University choices deserve more thought than what to eat for dinner.
• Notice decision avoidance. Ask whether you’re still searching for a better answer or because committing to one feels uncomfortable.

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