I kept on postponing writing this article, because I couldn't decide if… LOL.
We’ve all been there — staring at a menu, scrolling through endless options on Amazon, or agonizing over which new phone to buy. With so many choices available in our technology-filled world today, it can be hard to make decisions quickly and confidently. This phenomenon is known as decision paralysis — and it’s more dangerous than you might think.
Decision paralysis occurs when we are presented with too many options or an overwhelming amount of information that makes us unable to decide what the best choice for us is. It's more often than not applicable when purchasing one or more items have to be done.
Technology plays a huge role in contributing to this problem by providing access to an abundance of data and products from around the globe. We can now compare prices on multiple websites instantly; read hundreds of reviews about any product before we buy; and even customize items specifically for our needs without ever leaving home.
Unfortunately, these same features that make shopping easier also contribute greatly towards decision paralysis because they give us too much information all at once. That makes it difficult (or impossible) for us to decide which option works best for our individual needs.
For example: if you're looking into buying a new laptop online but find yourself stuck comparing specs between 10 different models – chances are you may never actually end up purchasing one due to the sheer number of choices, or feel afterward that you bought the wrong one.
Thankfully though – there are ways combat decision paralysis while still taking advantage of modern technology's convenience features:
1. Be clear about your goals, what you expect from the product. Visualize it the night before you have to make a decision.
2. Make a shopping list, and even notes, the day before you go on a shopping spree. It will save you money, time, and will make buying decisions easy.
3. Narrow down your search criteria before browsing online stores so that only relevant items appear, don't get distracted
4. Set time limits on researching products beforehand (e..g 30 minutes);
5. Word of mouth, listen to what other buyers of the item on your shortlist have to say on sites such as Reddit and review sites.
6. Sleep on it. While one is sleeping, the brain continues to work and ponder, and often when one wakes up the right decision is at hand.
All in all – although having access to vast amounts of technological resources has made life infinitely easier overall -it does come with some downsides, such as causing hesitance during crucial moments like making important purchasing decisions. So next time you feel overwhelmed by endless possibilities, take a step back and try to look at the bigger picture.
