Barry Schwartz, a professor of psychology at Swarthmore College, authored a book called “The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less.” In an article adapted from his book, published in Parade magazine about twenty years ago, Schwartz surprisingly states that “our unprecedented material abundance” causes unhappiness. How does this happen? Think about your last visit to a large retailer. You likely encountered over 360 types of shampoo, conditioner, and mousse in the hair care aisle. With such an overwhelming number of choices, deciding which one to buy can be difficult. Most people want the best product at an affordable price, but with so many options, it can be challenging to determine which of the 360 products is the best choice.
According to Schwartz (2004), many believe we should never settle for anything less than the best. He calls these individuals “maximizers.” Essentially, maximizers are always dissatisfied with what they have. For example, while driving and listening to the radio, a maximizer will often switch between stations, even if they already enjoy what they are listening to. Have you ever found yourself behaving this way?
As Schwartz concludes, “Unattainable expectations, plus a tendency to blame ourselves for our failure, make a lethal combination” (2004, p. 5). We need to constantly remind ourselves of the principle Paul first shared with his “son in the faith,” Timothy:
But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. (1 Timothy 6.6-8 NASB)
Yes, we must learn to be content with what God promised to provide if we “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6.33).
Schwartz provides advice to help us find contentment. Here are the tips.
“Choose when to choose” (Schwartz, 2004, p. 5) suggests intentionally limiting our choices when something is unimportant. For instance, when purchasing a specific item, it’s better to stick to one store and choose from only one or two restaurants. This way, we can avoid unnecessary decision-making and save time and energy.
According to Schwartz (2004), learning to accept things that are “good enough” is important. Striving for perfection can often lead to unnecessary anxiety and stress. Instead, settling for something to get the job done and move on is better. The pursuit of perfection is often a futile task and can prevent us from achieving our goals.
The third thing to remember is not to worry about missed opportunities or options. Instead of dwelling on the “what ifs,” learn to be happy with your choices. There is no point in agonizing over the paths you did not take. As Barry Schwartz put it in his book, “The Paradox of Choice,” “Learn to be content with the choices you’ve made.” (p.5)
According to Schwartz (2004), it’s essential to control your expectations and not expect too much. Your expectations often shape your perception of what is right or wrong. If you want to be more satisfied with life, it’s advisable to avoid expecting too much, as it is a common saying: “Don’t expect too much, and you won’t be disappointed.”
These are not behaviors that we can develop overnight. We must follow the example of the apostle Paul and learn to be content (see Philippians 4.11). Let us carefully look at our lives, recognize our many blessings, avoid causing ourselves disappointment, and thank God for all He has done for us.
Work Cited:
Schwartz, B. (2004, January 4). When It’s All Too Much. Parade, pp. 4-5.
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