The Paradox Of Choice: Why More Is Less (Rev. Ed)

In The Paradox of Choice, Barry Schwartz explains at what point choice the hallmark of individual freedom and self-determination that we so cherish becomes detrimental to our psychological and emotional well-being. In accessible, engaging and anecdotal prose, Schwartz shows how the dramatic explosion in choice from the mundane to the profound challenges of balancing career, family and individual needs has paradoxically become a problem instead of a solution. Schwartz also shows how our obsession with choice encourages us to seek that which makes us feel worse. By synthesizing current research in the social sciences, Schwartz makes the counter intuitive case that eliminating choices can greatly reduce the stress, anxiety and busyness of our lives. He offers eleven practical steps on how to limit choices to a manageable number, have the discipline to focus on those that are important and ignore the rest, and ultimately derive greater satisfaction from the choices you have to make.