Last week, we discussed the paradox of choice.

The paradox of choice is a concept popularized by psychologist Barry Swartz, suggesting that while

having some choices is good, having too many choices can lead to negative outcomes.

For more information on those negative outcomes,

make sure you listen to last week's episode. But for now, welcome back to savvy psychologist.

I'm your host, Dr. Monica Johnson. Every week on this show, I'll help you face life's challenges

with evidence-based approaches, a sympathetic ear, and zero judgment.

Combating the paradox of choice involves adopting strategies that simplify decision-making,

reduce anxiety, and increase satisfaction with the choices made. Here are some effective

strategies. The first one is to limit options.

One of the most straightforward ways to combat the paradox of choice is to limit the number of

options that are available. This can be done by setting criteria. So establishing clear criteria

for what you want can help narrow down choices.

For example, if you're buying a new phone, decide on what the essential features are that you need,

and only consider models that meet those criteria.

The second thing would be capping choices, so you want to decide in advance to limit the number

of options you'll consider.

So for instance, you may choose to compare only the top five products in a category rather

than reviewing every single available option.

The second strategy is to embrace satisficing.

Satisficing is a term coined by Herbert Simon, and it involves choosing an option that

meets your minimum requirements rather than seeking the perfect choice.

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