In over a decade as a real estate agent, one of the recurring themes I hear from clients is “optionality.” It seems that everyone wants more choices in life, even though studies show that increasing the number of options decreases the likelihood that a person will make a choice and increases any “buyers remorse” a buyer might feel after choosing.
Having too many options can increase procrastination. And of course there’s the energy drain. Every decision drains a little more energy. This is called decision fatigue.
I walked into the Apple Store today determined to leave with a new phone and ideally also a new Apple Watch. I walked out with decision fatigue. For a while, it looked like that might be all I walked out with.
Too many options.
Apple Watch.
What size?
GPS or GPS + Cellular?
Aluminum or Stainless Steel?
Which color?
Black.
Rose Gold.
Silver.
Which bands work best with each color?
Which color will I like best on me?
Do I want to keep it black and stay sleek and understated?
Or go for the rose gold and let it pop?
Will I get tired of the pink band?
What other bands will work with the rose gold?
She was super helpful and patient as I tried on the different color options.
It was too much. I defered a decision on it.
The Phone Decision
On to the phones. I assumed that this should be easy.
I had looked at the phones last week and had decided which model phone. I had also decided on the upgrade plan. But I hadn’t yet backed up files on certain apps and didn’t have the time then to set up the phone.
So now it was just execution time. No more decisions.
Or so I thought.
Erica passed me off to Zeke, because a separate team handles upgrade plans.
Which color?
Do I want do the upgrade plan or buy it outright?
Will I load the phone fresh or restore from my current phone backup?
How much storage do I want on my phone?
Do I want to trade in my current phone as part of this deal?
At this point, I almost left the store to consider all the logistics. But I really wanted to walk out today with the phone.
When faced with an overwhelming number of decisions, the best approach is to eliminate any decision that isn’t necessary to reach the finish line.
Was this necessary to decide now?
No. I learned I could trade in my current phone at any time. At least one decision I could avoid right now.
When I thought I had made all the decisions, there were more.
Do I want a screen shield?
Do I want a case?
Which style case?
Which color case?
Do I want to get a charging pad?
Do I want air pods?
Finally we were ready to do the transaction.
At last, I would be free of decisions.
Except not quite.
Do I want to add theft and loss protection in addition to AppleCare?
All I wanted was a phone.
Love it? Hate it? What do you think? Don't hold back...