How to Optimize Every Decision in Your Life and Accomplish Nothing
Even the greatest minds fear missing out. Nobel laureate Richard Feynman who assisted in the development of the atomic bomb, contributed substantial advances to quantum mechanics and particle physics, discovered the cause of the Challenger Shuttle disaster and popularized science as a witty and successful author, faced this fear when confronted with a menu.
How many different dishes should he order from a menu before settling upon a favorite? Feynman used probability theory to solve the problem. Below is the formula he developed with Ralph Leighton
The number of dishes to try = √(2(Meals remaining at restaurant+1)) - 1
Fear of missing out is a paralyzing force. It even drives geniuses to mathematics for consolation. Having calculated the number of dishes to try, Feynman could rest, his mind at ease knowing that in all likelihood, he was eating the best plate on the menu.
With the panoply of options before us as founders, investors, managers and employees, the fear of missing out on key meetings, conferences, marketing initiatives, employment candidates, investment opportunities is rampant. There is always one more meeting to attend, one more person to meet, one more option to consider.
Within that last meeting, we seek assurance and validation that the choice we have made is the right one. But the byproduct of the relentless pursuit of the "best" can be debilitation. FOMO diffuses attention, sapping the focus which is often so necessary to success.
Feynman quelled his fears with probability. Most of us won't approach problems with the same rigor. But all of us are seeking the same peace of mind.
We want the freedom of trusting our decisions and intuition. I think it comes down to accepting that, as is written on Facebook's walls, done is better than perfect. It's more important to keep moving forward with a good decision than to slowly optimize for the best decision every time.
I don't need a menu, thanks. I'll have the spaghetti and meatballs.
Java Swing and JavaFX Developer, UI/UX Designer
10y"A poor decision is better than no decision" Sometimes it is better to just spin the decision wheel. I use an app on Windows 8 from http://decisionmakingwheel.com when choices are similar.
Program Development director at Genealogy Society Singapore
11yGreat article. It is true that greatest problem in life is indecision and debilitation.
Clearer messaging >> more customers
11yI'm not at all interested in the advice of someone who helped create the most destructive force on the planet so that it could be used on millions of innocents for political purposes. Doesn't surprise me that the simplest choices freak him out. So that's two major signs of psychosis in my book. If the guy is so brilliant, he should have come up with a formula to help man understand his fellow man better instead of vaporize him and his family. THAT would have been brilliant.
Advocate
11ynice one,
Administrative Assistant of Finance at Insight Communications
11yUse your abilities at this time in your life to stay focused on your goal. "You will succeed with GOD on your side".