Issue No. 29
May 2011
Are You A Satisficer?
 
Dear Friends of Balancing Act,
Age of Miracles Book Cover  
Thanks to Forrest Gump, we're all aware that "life is like a box of chocolates. - you never know what you're going to get."

What Forrest didn't say is that some of us are so bent on making the best possible choice that we make ourselves crazy deciding between life's caramels and creams. Like one of my long-ago neighbors, we sneak under each piece, stick in our thumbs, examine and agonize. Read on for some help from a Swarthmore College professor  on how to be a happier "satisficer" instead of restless "maximizer."

That's not to say that we shouldn't aim for improvement.  Who, for example, wouldn't want to transform a boring job into one that maximizes (in a good way) their motives, strengths and passions?  The University of Michigan has put together a workbook that's as fun as a board game for doing just that.

If you can't change your actual duties, at work, I've thrown in some powerful questions to help you look at your job differently.  Changes in perspective can be powerful.  Or, as master coach Rick Tamlyn likes to say, "It's all made up anyway." 

As my latest column points out, a perspective change can even help with the weather.  Hope yours stays sunny and mild.

                                            Pat   

 

Satisficer, or Maximizer?....

Power of Choice book cover

Does it take you forever to choose an entree (or should it be two appetizers?) from one of those restaurant menus that's so large it needs an ISBN code?

 

Do you channel-surf even when you're watching a program?

 

Check other stations on the car radio, even though you're reasonably satisfied with the one you're listening to?

 

If you answered yes, watch out.  You could be a maximizer, someone so bent on making the best possible choice that you are unable to make decisions and move on.  

 

In his book The Paradox of Choice, Professor Barry Schwartz of Swarthmore College points out how the proliferation of choices can get in our way, and offers some strategies for becoming a more content and productive "satisficer."  To name a few:

  • Limit your choices where possible.
  • Learn to settle.
  • Adjust your expectations. 

To see if you have maximizer tendencies or (gulp) are an "extreme maximizer," he's put together this online test.  

Craft That Job!

Job Crafting ExerciseNeed to hold on to your current job, but know it doesn't fit your strengths, passions, or reasons for being?

A workbook called the Job Crafting Exercise helps you look at the building blocks that make up your job and analyze ways you can modify them to make the most of your personal strengths and values.

It's designed to create visual before-and-after job sketches linked to particular strengths, passions and motives. The sketches are followed with a personal action plan for bringing about changes.

The Job Crafting Exercise was developed by the Center for Positive Organizational Scholarship at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.   It is available for individual use as well as in  group settings.

Powerful Questions To Ask About Work
 

Feeling trapped in you current job? Here are some questions to ask yourself:  
  • How can I make this playful or light?
  • What are my expectations?
  • Where am I giving my power away?
  • What am I saying yes to? No to?
  • How can I honor my values?
  • Who can I express gratitude to?
  • What is enough?  
  hard job
Knowledge is a love affair with answers ... Wisdom is a love affair with questions
.

                        -- Julio Olalla, founder, Newfield Network 

Leash Law No. 29:        Distressing De-stressers   

timepieces
These days, with stress raging, everyone with a product seems to have a stress relief angle.  If a massage or pedicure gives you the creeps, just say no. If you hate meditation music, turn it off. Same drill if incense makes you sneeze. Maybe you'd rather catch lightning bugs. If so, poke some holes in the top of a jelly jar, and kick off your shoes.    
   
Ths is one of 74 leash laws offered in "The Dog Ate My Planner: Tales and Tips from an Overbooked Life."  

Copyright 2011 Pat Snyder
In This Issue
Satisficer, or Maximizer?
Craft That Job!
Powerful Questions At Work
Leash Law: De-Stressers
Coach Yourself Forward
Quick Links
       

COACH YOURSELF FORWARD


Executive pug


In this iffy economy, do you wish you could:
  • Ask yourself the right questions to move your life ahead?
  • Envision the life you want? 
  • Figure out ways to hold yourself accountable to the goals you set?
  • Defeat that nagging inner critic that says "You Can't!"?
Pat's workshop, "Coach Yourself Forward," offers practical ways you can become your own coach and enlist others to hold you accountable as you move forward. 

She can tailor self-coaching programs to groups and organizations. Contact her  through her website.
 

       
 NOW BOOKING

LIFE BALANCE    

PRESENTATIONS

FOR FALL!!  

 
Blue M&M
       
Pat's taking bookings now for  life balance speeches and workshops,  writing workshops, and laughter programs, all described on her website.

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