Choice Paralysis: 8 Techniques to Make Better Decisions

Did you know that an average adult makes about 227 food decisions alone^{1https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2006/12/mindless-autopilot-drives-people-underestimate-food-decisions} daily? Yep, you heard that right! Now, with a number like that, it’s no surprise that we often find ourselves in choice paralysis.

You know the feeling–when you’re staring at a menu with a million options or toggling between 10 different toothpaste brands in the supermarket aisle, feeling utterly overwhelmed.

In our next deep dive, we’re tackling choice paralysis with some nifty tricks to help you choose confidently and efficiently.

What is Choice Paralysis?

Choice paralysis, also known as decision paralysis, is a psychological phenomenon where an individual feels overwhelmed by the number of options available, leading to difficulty in making any decision. This can occur in various situations, from everyday choices like selecting a meal to more significant life decisions. The abundance of choices can lead to anxiety, stress, and, ultimately, a delay or complete avoidance of decision-making.

Bottom line: More choices make it easier to make choices.

Now, let’s dive in with a bit more flair: Imagine standing in an ice cream shop, staring at a dazzling array of flavors: mint chocolate, strawberry cheesecake, rocky road… the list goes on. 

Your mind races, asking questions like, “Should I go mint or chocolate?” or “Maybe I should get some for my husband?” That’s choice paralysis in action–when your brain hits a roadblock, trying to pick the “best” option (even if there may not be one).

And it’s not just about ice cream; this happens from small things like picking a Netflix show to bigger ones like deciding on a career path.

Why Too Many Choices Are Dangerous

When we overthink about our choices, we make the wrong choice. Barry Schwartz, author of The Paradox of Choice, argues that less choice is better. Why?

• When we have more choices, we make worse decisions.
• Having too many choices causes paralysis, so we cannot make any decisions.
• More importantly, we also spend time thinking about the choices we didn’t pick instead of being happy with the one we did choose.

The more choices, the more we feel we “missed out on.”

How to Deal With Choice Paralysis (& Become Productive!)

Want to be a productivity genius? Let’s break free from this productivity killer and discover strategies to streamline decision-making, turning potential overwhelm into decisive action.

Phone a Friend

The fastest way to combat choice paralysis is to ask a friend to choose for you and then pay attention to how you feel when they give you their answer. Are you sad they chose option A? Great! That’s not your choice. Are you thrilled when they choose option C? Great! That’s the one.

Have a more complicated choice? Read on for the advanced strategies…

The “5-3-1” Decision Funnel

Let’s say you’re making a hefty decision, like what project you want to start. A practical and effective way to tackle decision paralysis is the “5-3-1” Decision Funnel. Here’s how it works:

• Start with Five: Begin by selecting five options that seem appealing or suitable for your decision. This could be anything from project ideas to potential vacation spots.
• Narrow Down to Three: Take a closer look at your five choices and evaluate them based on your priorities, values, or specific criteria relevant to the decision. Narrow this list down to three options. This step helps reduce feeling overwhelmed by focusing on more viable choices.
• Choose One: Finally, with just three options left, choose one. At this stage, trust your instincts or use a simple pros and cons analysis to make your decision. The idea is to simplify the process to the point where making a choice feels more manageable and less stressful.

This method not only streamlines the decision-making process but also ensures that you’re considering a diverse set of options without getting bogged down by the paradox of choice.

And with many choices, it might take a lot of work to decide (we get it). That’s why we’ve done heavy  research to find the best resource to combat indecision and become confident in your choices:

Embrace Your A Work

Transform your productivity with the “A Work” method, a nuanced approach to task management. This concept revolves around recognizing and categorizing tasks based on proficiency and enjoyment.

• “A Work”: Identify your “A Work,” the tasks where you excel and enjoy. These tasks feel effortless, fully engage you, and leave you feeling accomplished. It’s where time flies, and you’re in your flow state.
• “B Work”: Then comes your “B Work,” tasks you’re good at but don’t particularly love. You can handle these competently, but you must work on sparking your passion.
• “C Work”: Your “C Work” is average. You can do these tasks, but they could be more enjoyable and manageable. They’re the tasks you might procrastinate because they don’t excite you.
• “D Work”: “D Work” is more challenging. These tasks are often filled with mistakes and inefficiencies. They take longer for you than others and don’t bring satisfaction.
• “F Work”: Finally, avoid “F Work” at all costs. These tasks drain your energy and are usually riddled with errors. They’re unproductive and demoralizing.

The key to maximizing productivity with decisions isn’t just about managing time or tasks; it’s about aligning them with your “A Work.” This means assigning tasks based on skill levels and preferences, not just availability. By focusing on your “A Work” and distributing other tasks within your team, you ensure everyone works in their zone of genius, leading to more efficient and fulfilling work.

Want more on how to unravel your A work? Watch the video below!

Pick Three

I used to offer over 20 choices for “special projects” to our interns. Special projects are areas that interest our teens that we need help with. An example is the “Editor Special Project,” where interns connect with and email editors of popular parenting magazines. Another example is our “Radio Special Project,” where an especially well-spoken teen serves as our teen spokesperson on radio interviews.

When I gave 20 choices, not only did it take teens forever to decide (usually with many emails back and forth on the pros and cons of each one), but we had a bigger drop rate. This is when teens would do their particular project for a few weeks and then email us that they “think they made a mistake because they have been thinking about the Newspaper Special Project and the PR Special Project, and maybe those are better.”

Finally, I decided to limit it to three choices, and I would rotate the choices as the special projects filled. Now, decisions are made quickly, and we almost have no dropouts. Why? With three options, there is more to take advantage of. With only three choices, there is no paralysis from teens. With three choices, teens have less to consider.

Action Step: The next time you’re leading a project or hosting an event, offer three different choices… Whether it’s what communication tool to use or a game to play, there’s usually a good start!

The “Two-Minute Rule” for Quick Decision Making

For those moments when decision paralysis creeps in, especially for smaller, less critical decisions, try the “Two-Minute Rule.”

This rule is simple yet effective: if a decision can be made in two minutes or less, make it immediately.

This technique is beneficial for day-to-day choices that don’t require extensive analysis or have long-term consequences:

• Replying to Non-Urgent Emails: Quick responses or delete! If it’s not mission-critical, handle it in under two minutes (but remember to utilize professional email hacks).
• Choosing a Coffee Flavor: Mocha or latte? If it takes less than two minutes, pick one and enjoy the caffeine boost!
• Selecting a Playlist: Can’t decide on a music genre? Quick pick between jazz or pop and let the tunes roll.
• Deciding on a Lunch Spot: Taco Tuesday or Sushi Wednesday? Make it snappy and satisfy those taste buds.
• What to Wear: Stripes or solids? Take your time thinking about it, grab an outfit, and stick to your style.

Here’s the juicy part: each quick decision you make using the “Two-Minute Rule” clears your mind and builds your confidence in decision-making. Over time, this practice can sharpen your instincts, making you more decisive and reducing the mental clutter that often leads to decision fatigue.

Pro Tip: Sometimes, you should implement an even quicker rule: the three-second rule. This can be especially helpful when you get nervous, like asking out a crush.

The Eisenhower Matrix

To tackle decision paralysis with a strategic edge, try the “Eisenhower Box” method. It’s a powerful tool that helps categorize tasks and decisions based on urgency and importance. 

Here’s how it works:

Create a Box with Four Quadrants:

• Top Left: Urgent and Important (Do it now)
• Top Right: Important, Not Urgent (Decide it)
• Bottom Left: Urgent, Not Important (Delegate it)
• Bottom Right: Neither Urgent Nor Important (Delete it)

Assign Tasks or Decisions to Each Quadrant:

• For tasks that are pressing and critical, do them right away.
• For important tasks without immediate deadlines, decide a time to do them later.
• For tasks that need to be done soon but need to be more crucial, delegate them.
• Consider dropping tasks that are urgent and important.

This method brings humor and a lot of efficiency into decision-making. You might chuckle as you realize how many things you can eliminate or delegate!

Simplify Mornings With the Uniform Approach

Transform your early morning routine with the “Uniform Approach,” a method that streamlines your wardrobe decisions and boosts productivity. This approach involves creating a personal uniform, a concept famously adopted by Steve Jobs with his iconic black turtleneck and jeans. 

Here’s how to apply it:

• Choose Your Signature Style: Select a few key pieces you feel comfortable and confident in. This could be a specific style of shirt, pants, or dress that works for any typical day.
• Create a Wardrobe Set: Instead of a single outfit, have multiple sets of the same style. Think Mark Zuckerberg’s grey t-shirts or an executive’s blue or black suits. This eliminates the daily decision of what to wear.
• Personalize with Accessories: Add variety with accessories. Scarves, ties, or jewelry can change the look without complicating choices.
• Implement a Streamlined Morning Routine: Pair your uniform approach with a simplified morning routine. This might mean pre-planning breakfast options or having a fixed workout schedule.

• Other Examples:
  • Have a standard breakfast menu: Oatmeal on Mondays, yogurt parfait on Tuesdays, etc.
  • Use the same mug for your morning coffee–your lucky mug.
  • Standardize your exercise routine: Yoga on weekdays, hiking on weekends.

By reducing the number of choices you make every morning, you conserve mental energy for more important daily decisions!

End Your Day With an Evening Reflection

To combat decision paralysis and supercharge your mornings, try the “Evening Reflection” method. This technique involves a brief, strategic reflection session each evening to prepare for the next day. 

Why It Works: Ending your day by setting up the next one ensures you wake up with a clear action plan. This method eases morning stress and sharpens your focus.

The Process:

• Time Commitment: Just 10 minutes each night.
• Reflection: Note what worked well and what didn’t during the day.
• Prioritization: Choose three essential tasks for tomorrow.
• Pre-Decision: Make small, routine decisions the night before.

Application Across Areas:

• Professional: Pin down the first work task for the next day.
• Personal: Decide on your exercise or relaxation activity.
• Wellness: Choose a simple self-care act for the evening.

You transform how your mornings unfold by reorienting your evening routine to include this reflection and planning session. It’s about going beyond standard to-do lists to a more thoughtful, strategic approach to your daily life, paving the way for smoother, more productive days.

How Decision Paralysis Affects Retirement and Doctors

Choice paralysis is a real and impactful problem, as illustrated by two compelling studies.

The first, from Columbia University^{2https://business.columbia.edu/faculty/research/how-much-choice-too-much-determinants-individual-contributions-401k-retirement}, looked at retirement savings choices among Vanguard clients. Surprisingly, more options led to fewer people saving for retirement. With just 5 options, over 70% chose a plan, but this dropped to 63% when faced with 35 choices. This trend reflects a broader market issue: too many options can lead to decision paralysis and, in this case, potentially contribute to financial crises due to delayed retirement savings.

Another study involving physicians and treatment choices for osteoarthritis patients revealed a similar pattern. When presented with one additional medication option, most doctors chose it over surgery. However, introducing two new options led many to revert to the default choice of surgery. This indicates that increased choices can lead to procrastination and a tendency to opt for the default or more drastic option–even for doctors.

These studies demonstrate that when decisions become complex, we often gravitate towards the default or “autopilot” choice.

When faced with too many decisions, we often revert to choosing on autopilot, even if that decision isn’t the best.

Choice Paralysis Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Going through a mental block? If you’re wondering how to overcome it, try out this resource: How to Manage Mental Load: 10 Strategies to Achieve Balance