ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — The term “FOBO” was coined by Harvard student Patrick McGinnis, and many people relate to it. The fear of missing out on a better option can result in making the wrong choices, or even halt your decisions all together.
A study published by the university of Pennsylvania categorized people as satisficers: those who made decisions based on “gut feelings” and were okay with “good enough”. And maximizers: those who relied on research and other’s opinions when making decisions. And while maximizers had 20 percent higher starting salaries out of college, they were less satisfied with their jobs than satisficers. So how can you get the best of both worlds? If you’re making a decision and its outcome won’t matter in one year, just go with your gut. But for major life decisions, meet in the middle with research and pros and cons, but pick the option that excites and challenges you.
Partnership Specialist Brittany Calvert said, “And what the research shows us, is that if we do new, novel, and complex things, so things that are really hard, we’ve never done before, that’s where we’re gonna get the biggest bang for our buck.”
In a study from Columbia university, it was shown that if people were given fewer options, they are more likely to make a decision. Don’t let the fear of better options stop you in your tracks!
If you’re faced with an overwhelming amount of choices, an article from Forbes advises to “de-clutter”, and ask yourself “what is the motivating factor of this decision?”
Contributor(s) to this news report include: Hayley Hudson, Producer; Angela Clooney, Videographer and Editor.
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