The document discusses choices and decision-making, emphasizing the influence of autonomy, mastery, and purpose on motivation. It explores the paradox of choice, highlighting that more options can lead to increased regret and anxiety rather than greater happiness. It also differentiates between natural and synthetic happiness, suggesting strategies for making better and happier decisions.

1. ChoiceForesight, Hindsight & HappinessErik RalstonBIS Birds of a FeatherJanuary 20th, 20111

2. SourcesDan Pink – Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motives Use2Dan Ariely – Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our DecisionsProfessor Duke UniversityDan Gilbert – Professor at Harvard University

3. Sources3Malcolm Gladwell – Blink and OutliersBarry Schwartz –The Paradox of Choice: Why More is LessSheena Iyengar – Professor at Columbia University

4. Do I Make My Own Choices?(Do I Have Free Will?)4

5. The Power of Defaults5

6. What drives Choices?6

7. Motivation!The Drive to DecideExcluding genuine need (or marketing), we need rewardsExtrinsic Rewards are the most common motivatorsBetter Pay = Better Work? Only for basic tasks, for complex tasks one must rely on…7

8. Autonomy8Freedom to choose of all options

9. Mastery9A challenge that culminates in achievement

10. Purpose10Importance and high impact consequences

11. A.M.P. it UP!A.M.P. is better than any external motivatorA.M.P. is best harnessed in hobbies and startupsAre intrinsic motivators possible at work? Not usually…Management prevents AutonomyEfficiency prevents MasteryInterchangeability prevents Purpose11

12. What Can I Choose?12

13. Recognizing ChoicesChoosing which choices are even possibleInformation is always processed as an abstraction and only in contrast creating greatest opportunity for biasSelection BiasPrimacy EffectRecency EffectOur first decision is often to assume the choice mattersImpact Bias13

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17. The Paradox of ChoiceIntuition leads us to think more choice is better, but…More choices = more viable paths to happiness?There must be a perfect choiceAnalysis of all available choices is exhausting!Variety is not the same as autonomy!Variety is not the same as quality!More opportunities = more missed opportunities = regret!Try to remember: Perfect is the enemy of Good17

18. Bias In ActionIf there's a bustle in your hedgerow, don't be alarmed now, it's just a spring clean for the May queen. Yes there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run there's still time to change the road you're on.18Oh here's to my sweet Satan. The one whose little path would make me sad, whose power is Satan. He'll give those with him 666, there was a little toolshed where he made us suffer, sad Satan

19. How Do I Choose?19

20. ForesightPredicting outcomes of a particular pathOf all animals, humans have the best foresightWe are still not very good at itWe can’t predict about choices we can’t recognize20

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22. Axiomatic ForesightLiteral application of “Rules” interpolating between instinct, advice, or limited experienceOnly requires memory and conditioning22

23. Simulated ForesightComplex simulation of outcomes in the mind extrapolating from previous experienceOdds of Gain x Value of Gain = Rational CostRequires experience and a pre-frontal cortex23

24. How Can I Make GoodChoices?24

25. MoralityMorals are emotional, and often instinctual, systems for regulating decisionsA different concept of optimum away from utilityHarm/Care - Impact of decisions on welfare of othersFairness/Reciprocity - Level of equal benefitIngroup/Loyalty - Benefit to members of my groupAuthority/Respect - Compliance with leadersPurity/Sanctity – Compliant with normswww.yourmorals.org25

26. Blink vs. ThinkSome decisions are instantaneous, some arduousWe always blink, but don’t always thinkExperience and practice = speed and accuracySize of consequences multiples required considerationUnless you are an expert, thinking is dangerous!26

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28. Making Good ChoicesEven preferences need experience to discoverBlink preference is different than think preferenceBlink preference is often betterOnly rely on “Expertise” if the person is really an expertAnd consult experts for big decisions28

29. How Can I Make Happy Choices?29

30. HindsightThe feelings evoked when thinking about past decisionsCould be satisfaction, regret, ambivalence, etcTransient experiences better convert into rosy memories than permanent objectsIf you must choose between new furniture and a vacationIrreversible decisions made without alternatives are easier to live with than 30

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32. Hindsight Isn’t 20/20Natural Happiness – “Getting What You Want”Synthetic Happiness – “Wanting What You’ve Got”Better than just rationalization and it happens much lower in the brain than memory & reasoningStill unhappy? Just remember that you will forgetAbout 3 months erases mundane regret32

33. The Secret to Happy DecisionsLower your expectationsDon’t expect perfectionBlink Don’t Think (Unless it’s REALLY Important)Sharp contrasts, instant connection, and economical decision-making timeAccept the things you cannot changePermanence forces acceptanceForget the things you cannot accept33

34. Questions?34

35. Thank You!35