This Working Life Making decisions like a pro
Aug 15, 2025
Renowned psychologist Dr. Ellen Langer, the mother of mindfulness, joins the conversation alongside experts Dr. Janneke Blijlevens and Dr. Adrian Camilleri. They explore the paradox of decision-making, revealing how we often struggle with the mundane yet rush significant choices. Instead of seeking the perfect option, they advocate for embracing randomness to reduce stress. The discussion also touches on career transitions, emphasizing resilience and perspective in making fulfilling choices, while addressing how emotions can skew our decision-making process.
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Rethink How Decisions Work
- Ellen Langer argues common decision theory is wrong because people often treat options as psychologically equal or different.
- When options are equal, randomly choose or use a simple heuristic and move on.
Choose Quickly When Options Tie
- If two options feel equal, pick one randomly or use the first option that comes to mind.
- Stop gathering extra information just to force options apart when it won't change your experience.
Stop Overvaluing Pros And Cons
- Pros-and-cons lists collapse everything into costs and benefits that cancel out and create false objectivity.
- Instead of seeking a perfect decision, focus on making whichever choice you take work.
