The Netflix Dilemma
Read time: 5 minutes
Welcome to My Musings, a (usually) weekly newsletter where I share what’s been impacting me lately, what I’ve been thinking about, and actionable ideas to help you navigate the career and life transitions that might be coming up for you.
Today, in short:
Musing: The luxury of choice presents the anguish of decision.
Quote: “We have to stumble through so much dirt and humbug before we reach home. And we have no one to guide us. Our only guide is our homesickness.” Hermann Hesse, Steppenwolf
Word: “Authority”
The Joys of Choice Paralysis
Imagine standing at a crossroads in your career, where each path leads to a different professional destiny.
This may sound unlikely to some. But it’s all too common.
We are more educated and qualified than ever. And, access to choice in the professional world is higher than ever.
So what happens? What should be an exciting array of possibilities turns into a paralyzing dilemma.
Put differently: you sit down to watch Netflix. You see you have a lot of choices. You keep browsing, deliberating, wondering which is best. And, at the end of the night, you realize: it’s time to go to bed and you haven’t watched a thing. This is what I call the “Netflix Dilemma”.
The Netflix Dilemma is also known as Choice paralysis, or analysis paralysis or the paradox of choice. And, it refers to the difficulty in making a decision when faced with numerous options.
It is also a modern struggle - in choosing what to watch, and in choosing what to do professionally - where an abundance of options can lead to anxiety, indecision, and dissatisfaction.
Barry Schwartz, in his seminal book "The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less," argues that while freedom of choice is essential for autonomy and well-being, an overabundance of choices can lead to a sense of being overwhelmed and stuck.
Numerous studies have explored the impact of extensive choice on decision-making. One famous experiment by psychologists Sheena Iyengar and Mark Lepper involved offering shoppers a selection of jams. Customers were presented with either six varieties or 24 options. While the larger display attracted more attention, it was the smaller selection that led to significantly more purchases. This study highlights a critical insight: more options can reduce the likelihood of making a decision at all.
There are several psychological mechanisms that contribute to choice paralysis, most notably, opportunity cost and expectation of perfection.
The concept of opportunity cost is paramount—each career decision comes with the cost of not pursuing other paths. This cognitive load can be paralyzing, as individuals weigh the potential losses of every alternative they forgo.
Relatedly, The mindset of expectation of perfection is unrealistic and self-defeating. Barry Schwartz differentiates between “maximizers” who seek the optimal choice and “satisficers” who opt for a choice that meets their criteria of acceptability. Maximizers are more prone to choice paralysis as they strive for perfection, whereas satisficers experience less stress and regret by accepting good-enough options.
In the context of a professional life, this means that having multiple (or many) career path options can be as much a burden as it is a blessing. The cognitive effort required to evaluate each potential path can be mentally exhausting, leading to decision fatigue and, ultimately, avoidance.
In sum:
The luxury of choice in professional life, while emblematic of modern freedom, carries the burden of decision. Recognizing the psychological mechanisms behind choice paralysis can empower us to make more satisfying career decisions. By clarifying priorities, setting boundaries, embracing satisficing, seeking advice, and trusting instincts, we can navigate our professional options with greater clarity and confidence. In the end, it’s not about having every option at our disposal but finding fulfillment in the choices we make (or the shows we watch)..
Your Next Steps:
Navigating the myriad of professional options without succumbing to paralysis involves strategic approaches:
Clarify Your Priorities: Define what matters most to you in a career. Is it work-life balance, financial stability, personal growth, or making an impact? Prioritizing your values can narrow down your options.
Set Boundaries on Choices: Limit the number of options you seriously consider. By setting boundaries, you can reduce cognitive overload and make the decision-making process more manageable.
Embrace Satisficing: Aim for a choice that meets your basic criteria rather than the perfect one. Accepting that no option is flawless can alleviate the pressure to find the “best” path.
Seek Advice and Mentorship: Consult with mentors, peers, and industry professionals. Their insights can provide valuable perspectives and help you make informed decisions.
Trust Your Instincts: Sometimes, your gut feeling can guide you effectively. Trusting your instincts can be a valuable tool when logical analysis becomes overwhelming.
Word of the Week
When we think of the word “authority”, we often think of power; influence; and, the right to command or decide.
So, why is it when we are faced with some of life’s most difficult decisions, we often don’t feel a sense of authority (i.e. power, influence or command)?
“Authority” derives from the Latin “auctoritas”, which means an invention, advice or opinion. The root “auctor” is derived from “augere”, meaning, to increase or make grow.
So, perhaps when we think of authority, we can instead consider it as the ability to invent, advise or cause growth.
When you think of situations in which you would like more authority, what happens when you view it as a chance to cause growth, to invent something or to provide advice, instead of a situation to take command of?
Quote of the Week
“We have to stumble through so much dirt and humbug before we reach home. And we have no one to guide us. Our only guide is our homesickness.” Hermann Hesse, Steppenwolf
Want to Dive Deeper?
I work with teams and individuals to discover their deeper purpose, navigate difficult transitions and answer the call to vocation.
If you want to talk about what’s coming up for you, get in touch.
I hope this was helpful for you. See you next week.
