Comments on: Confessions of a Former Maximizer

By: Senia.com Positive Psychology Coaching » Life is about the Slow and Steady. Really.

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:03:21 +0000

[…] So, one of the things that Margaret is doing by allowing herself to prepare for something early is that she sets her subconscious brain to help her think about those thoughts. She also REMOVES STRESS at the last minute. Finally, she allows herself to do projects that are very good, and thus actually get them done rather than seeking perfection. Have you heard the phrase, “The great is the enemy of the very good”? […]

By: Confessions of a Former Maximizer by depression.vahalo.com

Confessions of a Former Maximizer by depression.vahalo.com — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 02:50:08 +0000

[…] Posted by as Uncategorized “Maximizing can damage your happiness and cause you depression.” What?? Why hadn’t anyone told me this before?! I needed this badly, and luckily, I was in the right place at the right time. Barry’s emphatic explanations of his theories … article continues at Nicholas Hall brought to you by Depression and Clinical Trials […]

By: Angus

Angus — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 06:53:32 +0000

Great piece Nick -and really good video! I love the human way it all comes through - especially that living the good life takes daily practice.

The video is just terrific and I am going to point my family and friends towards it, could save me a fortune! You have great style Nick.
Best aye
Angus

By: Dave Shearon

Dave Shearon — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 01:37:54 +0000

Great post, Nick. I love the way your positive orientation toward change rings through.

I just watched a great example of the power of satisficing. Teresa, her sister, and I helped my older son move into a house in Louisville earlier this week. He was out of town on a trip planned before he ever signed the contract, so we were there a day before him. As we got to looking at the place (T had seen it, but it was the first time for me and her sister), we decided some painting needed doing. The living room was fuscia, the dining room some shade of green, and the kitchen had bright yellow walls and dark green trim — John Deere colors. This didn’t grab us, plus it just needed freshening up. So, after a quick call to get the older son’s permission, T and her sister were off to Home Depot.

Here’s where the satisficing came in. Because of time pressure, they picked a paint color in 10 minutes. The next day (after we’d painted four rooms!), they also picked a new trim color for the bathroom. Finally, they talked with the boy about what kind of drapes he wanted, picked the hardware and fabric and got those up. It was like an episode of “While You Were Out”! And they, and he, loved the result! Is it possible there was a better choice out there? Not even crossing our minds. Didn’t think about it, didn’t dither, and have no regrets. In this case, good enough feels great. Go ye and satisfice!

By: Caroline Miller

Caroline Miller — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 01:15:49 +0000

Hi Nick!
Great piece! I sure hope you finally got a mattress after all that, seeing as using a twenty-year-old mattress may not be in your best interests at this point.

I love the idea of giving yourself time limits — like two minutes to answer an email — because you can avoid the crisis of writing the “perfect” email if you just decide that good enough works. I think you and I talked about that.

Great post — and keep it up!
Caroline

By: Doug Turner

Doug Turner — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 12:16:08 +0000

Nick - Great piece. I wish we could do a little video for all the articles people submit - your video really drives the point home. You have raised the bar! As I read (and watched) your article it occurred to me that maximizers also seem to spend more time looking back on their decisions with regret rather than looking ahead with anticipation - sort of a “choice response style” with echoes of explanatory style.
All the best and Happy Deciding! Doug