Review: The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less

The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less by Barry Schwartz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.5—Really interesting book! I wish, though, that it had an updated version. I would love to see new data and updated information from the last decade. The author gives plenty of data that having more choices actually causes people to be less happy. We all think we want ultimate freedom to do whatever we want and to have unlimited choices in order to get what we want truly want. But in reality, the more choices we have, the more time it takes to go through all the option, the better chances that we'll have regret for choosing what we did, and more likely that we'll compare what we do have to those to the things that other people have. In the end, we are unsatisfied with everything. On the other hand, the author argues, if we were able to satisfied with "good enough," we would be happier. It also helps to have boundaries, such as rules and laws, and relationships with others, such as family and friends, that we would also be happier. Some really interesting ideas in here that can be applied to work, family life, dating, and other situations.

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