Summary

The article discusses the concept of satisficing versus maximizing in decision-making, emphasizing that accepting "good enough" solutions can lead to greater satisfaction than striving for the perfect choice.

Abstract

The article explores the psychological impact of seeking perfection in decision-making, particularly in the context of consumer choices like purchasing a notebook. It references the work of Barry Schwartz and Herbert Simon, distinguishing between maximizers, who exhaustively compare options to find the best possible solution, and satisficers, who stop searching once they find an option that meets their standards. The author suggests that satisficing can lead to more satisfying decisions and less regret, advocating for the practice of setting a "good enough" standard to improve decision-making satisfaction. The article also provides reflective questions to help readers identify and adjust their decision-making patterns.

Opinions

The author and a colleague share the view that the pursuit of perfection can be detrimental, leading to decision paralysis and dissatisfaction.
The article suggests that the paradox of choice, where an abundance of options leads to dissatisfaction, is a common pitfall in modern society.
Herbert Simon's distinction between maximizers and satisficers is presented as a key insight into understanding different decision-making approaches.
The author implies that satisficers tend to be more satisfied with their decisions as they are content with options that are "good enough."
Anja Förster and Peter Kreuz's book "Nein" is cited to support the idea that saying "no" to excessive options and standards can lead to better decision-making outcomes.
The article encourages readers to reflect on their own decision-making patterns, questioning where they might benefit from adopting a satisficing approach rather than maximizing.

Photo by Victoriano Izquierdo on Unsplash

Good Enough Is Better than Perfect: The Art of Making Satisfying Decisions

Why we should distinguish between maximizing and satisficing.

I’m sitting with a colleague. We are exchanging ideas about how detrimental it is to want to be perfect.

It’s about a very small task he wanted to complete: purchasing a notebook. We try to figure out what kept him from accomplishing it. In the process, we come to the topic of perfection.

Two weeks before our meeting, we were talking about the bullet journal method, where a key element is a notebook. He wanted to buy a high-quality matching booklet, so he struggled with the decision.

We come to talk about Barry Schwartz’s The Paradox of Choice¹. The paradox of choices, after all, is that the more choices or options we have, the harder we find it and the more dissatisfied we become.

The social scientist and sociologist Herbert Simon has made a distinction here between two types of people: Maximizers and Satisficers.

Maximizer vs. Satisficer

The maximizer tries to compare as many options as possible to find the best possible solution. However, his time is not sufficient to review the many options.

The Satisficer, on the other hand, searches until he has found what meets his value standards. After that, he stops searching.

The word satisficer is a combination of satisfying and suffice.

How would you rate yourself? Are you more of a satisficer or more of a maximizer? After what choices have you felt regret and remorse?

Sometimes we feel annoyed when we are maximizers and have the thought that we could have made a better choice.

Satisficers are more satisfied because they say no to many options and choose “good enough.” In many situations, that is perfectly sufficient.

Satisficing in Order to Make Satisfying Decisions

To develop more satisfaction with one’s own decisions, it can therefore be helpful to get into the habit of satisficing. At least this is the tip Anja Förster and Peter Kreuz give in their book titled Nein² (which means “no” in German).

With satisficing, we stop searching when we have found what sufficiently corresponds to our values.

To better understand one’s own decision-making pattern, conscious reflection can help:

Where am I looking for the perfect solution?
In what areas do I tend to be a maximizer? Where am I more of a satisficer?
In what areas where I consider myself a maximizer do I actually not need such a high standard?
Which options and possibilities can I safely ignore in concrete decision-making situations?
Where is my standard in this decision?
What is good enough for me in this situation for this decision?

Reflecting on and understanding one’s own pattern is the prerequisite for changing one’s own behavior in the decisive situations.

References

[1] Schwartz, B. (2007). The paradox of choice: Why more is less (Reissued). Harper Perennial.

[2] Förster, A., & Kreuz, P. (2016). Nein: Was vier mutige Buchstaben im Leben bewirken können. Pantheon.