Decisions, decisions

Alas, I’ve been caught up in the day to day stuff, and have neglected this blog. I haven’t, however, been entirely neglecting my plan of action.  I’ve been looking for info on decision making. I’m a researcher – I usually end up with good outcomes when I make a decision because I research. Everything. Almost exhaustively.  Sometimes, even beyond exhaustively. Then, I end up making a decision when I’m pushed right up to the deadline. And even though it usually turns out for the best, I’d like to feel better about my decision making process – less like it’s a snap decision.

So, I was happy to get an alert on this Library Journal article. And ended up just as unhappy after reading it – Another book? Really? The list of books I have to read for the book club is piling up. The list of books I should read – because they are well reviewed, or prize winners – is piling up. The books I want to read… well, I read them faster than the others, so that pile is not quite so high. In any case, I was dismayed just thinking about another book.

The idea of perfection paralyzes my decision making process. I research exhaustively because I MUST have the best, most perfect [thing, item, solution].  And really, that makes no sense. I accept that my house will never be spotless – I strive for good enough. I’ll never look like a supermodel – that doesn’t stop me from leaving the house in the morning.  I know I’ll never knit the perfect sock – I can’t rip them apart the first mistake I make, I’d never knit anything. 

Why do I feel like I must have the best, most perfect anything? On the other hand, I also don’t want to do enough just to get by.  So how to navigate between unattainable – and paralyzing- perfection, and just good enough?  Well, the people at Lifehacker were out to help me, because I got an alert on this article. What a great concept! Something that I can use, now, while the unread book sits in my pile of must read soon books.

I’ve got no pithy song lyrics to leave you with today, I was just rambling.  Hope the articles help you, and thanks for reading!