The Deadly Allure of Optimization
I’m a problem solver by nature. From a young age I've always aimed to find the optimal, most efficient solution to challenges in my life, whether it's designing the perfect system to tackle student projects or researching for weeks to find the perfect camping gear.
Put simply, I want the very best results for my time, effort and money.
It's an alluring thought - who wouldn't want that?
As I've grown older, however, I've come to question whether this optimization mindset always leads me to the best outcomes. What’s seen as "best" according to expert opinion or even objective metrics may not actually be the right choice for my individual needs and values.
This dichotomy between what’s “broadly best” versus what’s “personally right” came to light during a silly argument with my wife Olivia about the proper way to cook eggs as we were prepping breakfast.
Having perfected my technique over years of trial and error, I insisted that my fried egg method was clearly superior. Olivia objected that her own less-optimized but familiar process was valid too. It represented a mindful morning ritual that gave her a sense of comfort and accomplishment, similar to making the bed or doing laundry.
My "perfect" eggs failed to account for these emotional benefits that mattered to her. It struck me then that the most optimized solution is not always the most beneficial one.
This distinction between broadly-accepted best practices and personal right choices is crucial, especially for folks like me with an optimization mindset.
It's easy to get caught up in the never-ending pursuit of improvements without stopping to question if it actually enhances our own lives. When things become highly optimized, they tend to lose elements of slack, randomness, spontaneity, openness and discovery - all critical ingredients to creativity and fun.
Furthermore, optimal systems and products are often built for the hypothetical "average" user. But when applied blindly, they can divert our time and attention from aspects that truly matter to us as individuals.
One example is one of my audiophile friends, who spends hours pouring over headphone reviews to find the objectively "best" pair. Yet to his surprise, he discovers his greatest enjoyment sometimes comes from listening to second-tier headphones without the “perfect” sound quality. The analytical optimization process actually hindered the discovery of his personal preferences.
Beyond headphones, I've seen similar over-optimization in fitness, nutrition, productivity, travel hacking to name a few. Even obsessing over my Google Maps ETA and going back and forth over Yelp reviews is a daily reminder of how the pursuit of the “best” causes unnecessary anxiety and while erroding inner peace and contentment with my choices.
This is exactly how we get stuck in analysis paralysis trying to min-max the minor details while losing sight of the big picture.
So next time you find yourself obsessing over perfecting something - cooking, shopping, planning, or advising others - take a step back.
Consider whether this optimization is truly best for you or the person in question. Does it account for emotional and mental well-being, not just hypothetical efficiency? Does it distract from simpler joys or “inefficient” rituals that hold deeper meaning?
When in doubt, prioritize what's truly beneficial to you over the optimal.
And if you don't know what what’s beneficial or ever given yourself the opportunity to discover what you truly want, then consider taking Mind Map Nation’s 10-day Empowering Maps course designed to get you clarity on precisely that.
As a wise musician once said, “Music isn’t supposed to be perfect.” Learn when to ease off the optimization gas pedal and appreciate this journey for what it is - imperfect and meaningful music.
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