Choice overload

The issue of choice overload extends beyond work and into our daily lives.

The explosion of available goods has only made time feel more crunched, as the struggle to choose what to buy or watch or eat or do raises the opportunity cost of leisure (ie, choosing one thing comes at the expense of choosing another) and contributes to feelings of stress. The endless possibilities afforded by a simple internet connection boggle the mind. When there are so many ways to fill one’s time, it is only natural to crave more of it.” — The Economist

In Greg McKeown’s book about Essentialism which I recently wrote about, he emphasises that “Our options may be things, but a choice—a choice is an action”.

A choice isn’t just something to be made, it is a positive expression of action and the result of deliberation.

You could also choose to not choose. Reverting to the infamous trolley problem where you’re asked to choose between allowing five people to die on one track or killing one on another track by flipping the switch, there is always the choice to kill yourself or leave—to refuse to play the game. Choosing is a choice.