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I used to have this problem, then I realized I was over optimizing. The eye opening experience for me happened when I needed to quickly setup a new kitchen so

by leros 4y ago

I used to have this problem, then I realized I was over optimizing. The eye opening experience for me happened when I needed to quickly setup a new kitchen so I went to Wal-Mart and just bought a bunch of cheap stuff as a temporary solution. I ended up being happy with 90% of what I bought and only re-bought a few things. In contrast to the meticulous research I normally do and the higher cost items I usually buy, I was quite surprised. The realization I had is that I was making my decisions the wrong way. Previously, I had been trying to find "the best item that didn't cost too much". Whereas the criteria should really finding an item "that meets my needs". It doesn't need to be the best, just good enough. I can now go to a store and pick up whatever random skillet they have without much thought and it works out 90% of the time. Much less stress. And when I do later realize I need something better, I have a better understanding of what I need so it makes shopping easier.

Nomentatus 4y ago
Right. Satisficing. Lovely Walmart example. Works for getting rid of stuff (decluttering) too. I've downsized my belongings 90% by weight and have only had to rebuy a couple or three things (there's almost always more than one way to do what ya wanna do.) https://practicalpie.com/satisficing/ https://practicalpie.com/satisficing/
akiselev 4y ago
In woodworking and other crafts this is called the "Harbor Freight rule": when you need a tool for the first time, you go buy the cheapest one from Harbor Freight. Either the tool will never break in which case you don't use it enough to justify something more expensive, or you do use it enough to break it at which point you've gained enough experience to shop around properly. This rule sounds wasteful but in the real world of uncertainty and risk, it pays for itself almost immediately.
- nicbou 4y ago
  Decathlon is the sports equivalent
nautilius 4y ago
I noticed I did the same thing when looking for hotels - what's the possibly best hotel out there for some reasonable price? Ooh, they have breakfast, ooooooh, but this one has breakfast and a bar, and this one even has a spa and nice hardwood floor! At some point I made the same switch you describe: what is my minimum requirement so that I do not regret booking the hotel (for me: breakfast, reasonably close to destination, no-smoking on premises, rating above 8), then simply book the cheapest one that fulfills this. Reduced FOMO and time spent, not looking back.

by leros 4y ago

Nomentatus 4y ago

Right. Satisficing. Lovely Walmart example. Works for getting rid of stuff (decluttering) too. I've downsized my belongings 90% by weight and have only had to rebuy a couple or three things (there's almost always more than one way to do what ya wanna do.) https://practicalpie.com/satisficing/ https://practicalpie.com/satisficing/

akiselev 4y ago

In woodworking and other crafts this is called the "Harbor Freight rule": when you need a tool for the first time, you go buy the cheapest one from Harbor Freight. Either the tool will never break in which case you don't use it enough to justify something more expensive, or you do use it enough to break it at which point you've gained enough experience to shop around properly. This rule sounds wasteful but in the real world of uncertainty and risk, it pays for itself almost immediately.

nicbou 4y ago
Decathlon is the sports equivalent

nautilius 4y ago

I noticed I did the same thing when looking for hotels - what's the possibly best hotel out there for some reasonable price? Ooh, they have breakfast, ooooooh, but this one has breakfast and a bar, and this one even has a spa and nice hardwood floor! At some point I made the same switch you describe: what is my minimum requirement so that I do not regret booking the hotel (for me: breakfast, reasonably close to destination, no-smoking on premises, rating above 8), then simply book the cheapest one that fulfills this. Reduced FOMO and time spent, not looking back.