The Best Is the Enemy of the Good

We often believe that if we just search long and hard enough, we will find the best option. But in reality, this is almost impossible.

There are simply too many options. Our information is always incomplete. And our minds are not designed to compare everything perfectly — so instead, we rely on mental shortcuts. Ironically, this often leads us further from our original goals. In fact, having too many choices can leave us feeling overwhelmed. Even after making a decision, we may find ourselves anxious, wondering if there was a better option we missed.

Try Satisficing

If you feel stuck under the pressure to find the best choice, there is another way to approach decision-making: satisficing.

The word is a blend of satisfy and suffice, and it was introduced by the economist and psychologist Herbert Simon. It means choosing an option that is good enough — and then moving forward with your life.

Satisficing is not about lowering your standards. It is about choosing what works for you, rather than chasing something perfect that may not exist.

Why “Good Enough” Can Feel Better

Research shows that people who tend to maximise — always seeking the very best — often feel less satisfied. They are more likely to experience regret, compare themselves to others, and question their choices long after the decision has been made.

Satisficers, on the other hand, tend to be more at peace with their decisions. Not because their choices are objectively better, but because they allow themselves to feel content with what they have chosen.

Sometimes, the goal is not to find the best.

It is to make a good enough choice — and then live fully with that choice.

Get in touch if you would like to explore how patterns like perfectionism or decision fatigue might be affecting you.