If you're struggling to decide between two choices, try one of these rules:

  • Version 1 (conservative): Choose either one. If you're struggling to decide, the variance around each outcome is likely larger than your careful pros and cons analysis. Better to pick a path than stagnate.
  • Version 2 (aggressive): Choose whichever takes you furthest from your current state. Empirical studies suggest this works because we systematically overweight the status quo due to sunk cost and endowment biases.

The key is living with your decision afterward. As Tim Ferriss notes in his interpretation of The Paradox of Choice: the more options you consider, the more regret you'll feel; the more alternatives you encounter, the less satisfying your choice becomes.

Sometimes the biggest mistake is not making the wrong choice—it's taking too long to choose at all.

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