Possibilities Paralysis: Do we live in an age of too many choices?

Written on June 5, 2012 by Kaarina in Business, Marketing, Motivational and Inspirational

I’ve used the phrase “possibilities paralysis” for over 25 years now when describing my life.

You see, I’m what you might call a Renaissance woman. There are so many things that interest me, attract me and delight me. I’ve always believed the world is my oyster, with endless opportunity and options available.

But that has also created times when I’ve encountered “possibilities paralysis”. When the sheer volume of opportunity actually creates dissatisfaction…with oneself.

In a TED talk, Professor Barry Schwartz talked about the Paradox of Choice when he said “some choice is better than none, but it doesn’t follow from that that more choice is better than some choice”.

I found his TED talk video via a comment that was made by Jason Konopinski over at Spin Sucks. In her post, Gini Dietrich says: “It turns out consumers are overwhelmed. What they really want is simplicity.”

Do you remember the days when:

You could get that in vanilla or chocolate

There was one brand of jeans

There were two choices of coffee: decaf or not

“Would you like fries with that?” was the only offered option

Today, with too many choices , psychologists say that we’re actually unhappy with any choice we make. We’re starting to put the blame on ourselves for being unable to make a good choice.

Sometimes, when confronted with a vast array of choices, we’re overpowered and simply decide to walk away, making no buying decision at all. And that’s not good news for business.

And even though we now have the capacity, via the Internet, to research choices endlessly, it doesn’t mean we should. As Professor Barry Schwartz (a professor of psychology at Swarthmore College and author of “The Paradox of Choice”) says: “It is not clear that more choice gives you more freedom. It could decrease our freedom if we spend so much time trying to make choices.”

Carrie Wilkerson, The Barefoot Executive pointed out the choice paradox beautifully when she tells the story of taking her children to a candy store and encountered “possibilities paralysis” first-hand. She said:

“The problem? They couldn’t decide! They literally wandered back and forth from barrel to barrel, afraid to choose because they might miss the ‘best’ choice!

It took us 30 minutes for each of them to choose 4 candies. Wow. (For a decisive person, that’s me, it was driving me insane!)

You might think this is an oversimplistic example…but I think it’s very accurate!… the truth is – I believe consumers are overwhelmed with choices.”

What’s been your experience with choice?

Do you feel that, as consumers, we’re being offered too many choices? Where do you find this to be most prevalent? In what business sector?

Now let’s end on a laugh, where truth is indeed stranger than fiction. Be sure to check out this little video, Ellen’s Monologue – Too Many Choices.

http://www.grownupnowwhat.com/ Tammy

In trying to figure out what profession I want to try next (I’ve given up on figuring out what I want to be when I grow up), I ran into this wall of too many choices. For a split second I pined for a simpler era with fewer choices, then I realized that because of my gender, I would have had NO choices at all. Okay, too many is better than none at all. But I’m still metaphorically standing in that candy aisle!
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  I’ll help you navigate the candy aisle @3c52b39662a421a77fe61b398b504af2:disqus
  
  When I started out, I was in a male-dominated arena in the sports world. I was the youngest and one of the few women Presidents of a national sport governing body, dominated by men over the age of 50. But there was still choice. Choice to swim upstream like a salmon, or sit on the riverbank fishing. I chose to swim upstream. What I mean is this: yes, there were fewer “options” back then (I don’t like to use the word choice here, because everything we do in life is a choice), but it was simpler then to choose among options available.
  
  Today, not only are we in the proverbial candy store, we’re in multiple candy stores all at the same time!
  
  If you ever want to chat (no obligation…twenty minutes of skype to discuss where you are and where you want to go in that candy store), I”d be delighted to help. Just email me if you ever want to chew things around:) Cheers! Kaarina
http://twitter.com/bdorman264 Bill Dorman

I know what you mean. I’m going out on a health insurance presentation this afternoon; this is not normally my arena, but I created the opportunity and I will be in attendance. The thing that drives me crazy about a health insurance presentation? Too many choices; if I’m looking at 3 pages worth or spreadsheets and each carrier has 3 plans (low, med, high) to choose from, how do you drill down to the best choice?

Same thing w/ restaurant menus; keep it to about 2-3 pages tops.

It’s a good thing there aren’t that many choices in social, huh?

I am a very, very simple man; I’m ok with choosing between one or two or maybe three tops.

Busy day today; I’m back out……….:)
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  Thanks for taking the time to drop by @twitter-34985693:disqus : I appreciate it:)
  
  I’m with you on keeping to a “reasonable” number of choices. If I have to flip through multiple pages of a menu, I’m basically going to go with something I know, because the sheer overwhelm of choice takes away my appetite.
  
  I actually forgot about this site when I wrote the post: http://www.top3.com.au
  
  They say:
  
  “We research design awards, explore innovative use of materials, visit
  the largest International trade Shows from Frankfurt, Milan and Paris
  and explore local design markets to provide you with an edited
  collection of products from around the world. Limited to a maximum of 3
  products per category top3 by design showcases products that both
  inspire and perform!
  ”
  
  Interesting concept huh? 3 choices per category…I like the concept. Cheers! Kaarina
http://twitter.com/lifeforinstance Life, for instance

Hi Kaarina! I’ve seen the TED Talk on this and was impressed as you were, contemplating our 66 different pendant designs and wondering if we’ve gone too far! Ellen’s monologue is interesting. She further illustrates the problem with having too much choice. But what can we do about that? Businesses are not going to stop trying to make a better product. Is it up to the store to offer just a few brands? I couldn’t help but wonder if there is an App for that
For myself, I think that once I’ve made a choice, I’m more likely to stay loyal to that brand. I don’t want to continue to go into that pool again. Maybe having too much choice encourages consumer loyalty? I don’t know. What do you think?Lori
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  I think you could be right on that @twitter-228904159:disqus . When too much choice is offered, we might just stick with what we know, and continue with brand loyalty. Makes the choosing so much simpler.
  
  I think there’s a difference between a better product and fifty-gazillion (OK, I”m exaggerating) combinations and permutations of the next best mousetrap. Continuous improvement is great, but I really don’t need a never-ending story of options to choose from.
  
  When I started my vintage postage stamp necklaces, I know I spread myself too thin, with too many options. I created Canadian and American pendants, knowing that would be my primary market, but then I thought about categories: equine/ pets/ sports/ famous people/ funky. I now, unfortunately, have way too man pieces in inventory. However, when I do a show or display them, I take a “less is more approach”. Just a few in each category, not the whole kitchen sink. If someone has to choose between two pendants of a similar theme, they will usually buy. If they have to choose from ten possibilities, they often walk away. Lesson learned…the hard way. Cheers! Kaarina
http://www.WaxingUnLyrical.com/ Shonali Burke

There was a documentary on Costco that aired recently; in it they said (I forget who exactly) that studies have shown the more choice you give people, the more confused they become.

Of course we’re being offered too many choices – just look at your TV listings! But that’s the beauty of free enterprise; and the market will determine what will win/lose. As far as people go, yes, there are choices abounding… and we can also make the choice to not give in to the craziness.
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  I’ll make that choice any and every day @Shonali:disqus P.S. I received your question re: triberr in my inbox, but not in my triberr stream, and no WUL posts appearing. Most annoying, especially since I can’t seem to get any answers. Maybe we need to revolt, haha!
  - http://www.WaxingUnLyrical.com/ Shonali Burke
    
    Yes, I’m about ready to pack it in w.r.t. Triberr. @dino_dogan why does this keep happening? I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve pulled my feed into Triberr manually in the last few months.
    - http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
      
      It’s a constant for me too @Shonali:disqus , and there doesn’t seem to be a response/solution in sight. Totally defeats the purpose, right?
      - http://www.WaxingUnLyrical.com/ Shonali Burke
        
        Yea. But Dino’s trying to help figure it out, so I remain hopeful!
      - http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
        
        Good to know. I didn’t get any responses from my multiple requests.
  - http://twitter.com/skypulsemedia Howie at Sky Pulse Media
    
    @Shonali:disqus obviously Trader Joe’s figured out we don’t need a 1000 choices.
    - http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
      
      What’s a Trader Joe’s?
http://twitter.com/CrossBetsy Betsy Cross

Yes! Too many choices. But I don’t really care. It all boils down to having enough money to buy even one, so I always go with the least expensive! LOL!

I’ve witnessed my childrens’ confusion as well, and no longer give them a say in simple things like flavos unless it’s their birthday. And you know what? They NEVER complain. I never ask them what they want for dinner either. I decide to make it and their only decision to make is whether they’ll eat it or go to bed hungry.

In my family even taking a walk is difficult. I even have to decide which direction to go so that we can get moving. Half want to right, half left!
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  You’re gonna’ get a kick out of this little video @twitter-562128902:disqus This mom gives too many choices, haha! http://youtu.be/rrOavKE0e90
http://soulati.com/blog Soulati

ABSOLUTELY! Toothpaste, laundry soap, vehicles, any food product with a label high in sodium, fat grams, sat fat, sugar, etc.

How about our prospects seeking just that right PR person or social media consultant or life coach? We’re a dime a dozen, and how do we differentiate?

When I am without my child and over hungry because I’ve waited to long to eat, I can never decide where to go. I end up going home frustrated and starving to raid the cupboard and eat standing in my kitchen.

I am overwhelmed; now i need to run back to my website and see if someone reading my pages is also. Great post.
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  Thanks @soulati:disqus . I think the proliferation of choice is an outcome of the attempts to differentiate, “one up” and come up with the newest, best mousetrap. However, from a consumer standpoint, all it does is add more noise and clutter.
  
  Heading over to your site now. Cheers! Kaarina
http://Mazzastick.com/ Justin Mazza

Just go to the cereal isle in any grocery store to see that we have way too much to choose from. Same goes for almost anything in life these days.
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  So true @mazzastick:disqus . I was just about to add to my reply to @soulati:disqus this:
  
  Just imagine what it would be like to walk into a grocery store where every single package was simply white, with the product name and ingredients listed. Would we spend the time reading every line? No, we’d probably pick up a “tried and true” known entity, or grab by brand name, not the bells and whistles of “newest, biggest, best, improved, new and improved, newest flavour…”
  
  Too much choice is not helping consumers or business. Cheers! Kaarina
http://twitter.com/rdopping Ralph Dopping

So I better scrap the “101 ways to better management” post I am writing? ha,ha, haaaaa….man, even in blogging we see this all the time, don’t we?

There are so many good blogs out there (even in your niche ’cause someone will say it) that’s it’s impossible to choose and then there are the list posts with pant loads of options.

So, my reader now has 55 blogs that I follow regulary and there are some that I don’t read often BUT I can’t get rid of the because I don’t want to miss anything. Sure, I am being a bit facetious but social is probably the worst culprit of all. Well, maybe not.

Analysis paralysis is something we are destined to have to work on avoiding and maybe some corporations who realize it will change…..ahhh, not likely. I think it’s here to stay; choice, that is.

Does my firm do it differently? Nope, we have services that cover every possible permutation of consulting on architecture and design that is imaginable. They call it a one-stop shop. Maybe a little different than 300 types of toothpaste choices but not when it comes to the competition who offers what appears to be the same. We are DIFFERENT though, so you better hire us……;-)
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  @twitter-229922134:disqus , I’m a “less is more” kinda’ gal. That’s why I really enjoyed the little Ellen video. Do we really need that many types of toothpaste or deodorant?
  
  And in terms of services…I don’t think there’s anything wrong with making it easy for the consumer/customer/client to find their solutions easily, in one place. But the problem arises when too many options are offered. It makes decision-making very difficult, time-consuming and frustrating. That’s why in service businesses it’s so important to truly listen to the customer, and then be able to guide them to options that are most suitable to their needs. There’s a big difference between hauling out the pantone colours book and plopping it on the desk and saying, “here’s all the colours that you can choose from”, vs. narrowing the field down for the customer, based on their needs and wants.
  
  I, too, hesitated to reduce my blog reader, but what a relief when I did. It’s like the story of the young boy and his dad fishing that I wrote about here: http://ahopefulsign.com/living-to-learn/i-wish-i%E2%80%99d-enjoyed-it-more
  where it talks about always worrying that we’re “missing out” on something.
  
  We will miss out. We will miss things. But an overloaded inbox, reader or grocery store aisle doesn’t solve that problem. Cheers! Kaarina
http://inspiretothrive.com/ Lisa Buben

Yes, walking into a store these days to pick out an item can be overwhelming. Especially over the counter medications with so many variations. What happened to just plain Tylenol? I don’t want to see us done to just one choice though for stores, etc. That would be a monopoly. But a few choices are good, many can be overwhelming.
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  Great to see you here @Lisapatb:disqus . I just checked out your facebook page and website, and I’ll be returning. Hope to see you by here again too: the welcome mat’s always out:)
  
  Yes, one choice is not enough, and I’m not sure what IS “enough”, but too much choice is creating stress for consumers, and according to the research, is not helping sales for business. I mentioned in my reply to @twitter-34985693:disqus the website http://www.top3.com.au is a place where only 3 items are posted in a category. And we know that, in design, grouping things in triplets makes good design sense. So whether it’s 3 or more, it certainly isn’t the non-stop proliferation of choice we now have everywhere around us.
  
  Thanks for dropping by, tweeting and commenting: great to meet you:) Cheers! Kaarina
Erica Allison

Amen to this post, Kaarina! Yes indeed, we are bombarded with choices. From what blogs to read to what cereal to buy. Unless you have an internal barometer that points to your polar star, you’re adrift in the sea of choices.

The candy barrel example cracked me up. We’ve experienced that many times in the past. My solution now: they get a specified amount of time…depending on the child and their age and if they can’t decide in that time, we’re moving on and we’ll revisit if we have time. That gives them boundaries, a chance to walk away and think about it, and then a focused chance to grab their booty. It was much more difficult for our first born (who is more like an only child) than our youngest. She grabs and gos, without a lot of back and forth. Our son, however, can agonize for hours, even after the purchase. So, we try to think about what we (He) wants in advance, keep him on focus, and give him a time limit (10 seconds max for candy and 5 minutes on a toy aisle). Since he has his own money now, we give him a little more leeway, but I find it’s also a quicker process when it’s his money.

For myself, I limit the exposure to too many choices. I do! I avoid Targets and big box stores and if I do shop in them, I eat before I go (I have low blood sugar that will strike without fail in a big box store) so that I’m focused and don’t succumb to the impulses that await me. I also think it’s the lighting. I read somewhere that those stores are designed like casinos in Vegas…with very little access to outside lighting, designed to disorient and loosen inhibitions (ie increasing our ability to spend/lose more money!). There is indeed a psychology to it.

What a fun post to ponder! Thank you!
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  Thanks for that great comment @47d58be98d1441a276245024c9457dbf:disqus : you certainly have your solutions well in place:)
  
  Like many things in life, when we set boundaries and/or create rituals/habits (like not shopping while hungry:) prior to the shopping experience, it’s much easier to cut through the maze of clutter and noise and endless options. That’s why things like shopping lists, doing the “homework” before shopping, realizing when we’re in POP/”impulse buy” state of mind prior can reduce stress and assist in decision-making.
  
  And yes…there’s definitely a psychology to merchandising in stores. I teach a lot about things in retail environments…the “butt brush” syndrome, lines of sight, end caps, product rotation and placement, threshold barriers, etc. that can make or break sales.
  
  Thanks for dropping by: great to see you here. Cheers! Kaarina
- http://www.thejackb.com/ The JackB
  
  Hi Erica,
  
  I use a similar strategy with my children. I make a point in advance to narrow their choices and time frame they have to choose within. It simplifies things and makes everyones life a whole lot easier.
  
  But you will never see me avoid Costco (my favorite store) and other box stores like Home Depot. I like having all the choices, but I tend to be pretty decisive. I also usually have a pretty clear idea about what I intend to buy before I go.
  - http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
    
    That’s a good approach and tactic @TheJackB:disqus . Setting intentions, doing the homework and narrowing options prior to buying helps one keep focus when confronted with a myriad of choice. And I like simplicity. The more complicated someone makes things for me, the less likely I am to stick around.
    
    This goes for things online as well. The more hoops I have to jump through to sign up for someone’s site or offering…well, I’ll just boot out. People don’t need to know my brother’s cousin’s sister’s shoe size to send me their online offering, haha! Cheers! Kaarina
http://spinsucks.com Gini Dietrich

I really loved Ken Mueller’s comment on my blog post about this topic. He said he hates going into a restaurant only to find 40 choices on a menu. It’s too hard to decide! We’ve all had this…you finally decide what you’re going to eat and then the food comes and you wish you had ordered whatever your dining companion ordered.

It’s interesting that we feel guilty because we can’t make a choice. Bring back simplicity!
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  I’ll drink to that @ginidietrich:disqus !…to simplicity, that is:) Cheers! Kaarina
- http://twitter.com/skypulsemedia Howie at Sky Pulse Media
  
  @kmueller62:twitter only eats Mac and Cheese. Doesn’t matter what the restaurant. And he asks for Ketchup. Must be Heinz. So I would think even 10 choices confuse him.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=501456842 Ken Mueller
  
  Just ate out again…and took me forever to order. so sad.
http://twitter.com/AlinaKelly Alina Kelly

Hi Kaarina

I LOVE this post. Like you, I am interested in and curious about almost everything
and, therefore, easily distracted. I’m always turned off by restaurant menus
with too many choices and am often exhausted by the prospect of having to do
extensive research for even basic purchases.

I agree with @GiniDeitrich that people want their lives simplified.
Among my solutions is to subscribe to Consumer Reports; because it helps me to narrow
down options based on clear parameters. Buying a new washing machine should not
be that hard. I believe any business that helps people make important choices –
and feel good about those choices – will become increasingly valuable.

Thanks for sharing the wonderful TED Talk by Barry Schwartz. One of my
favourite TED talks on this subject is by Sheena
Iyengar who also talks about how we make choices and how we feel about the choices we make. Have a
look when you have a minute…or 16 of them.

Have a great day!

a.
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  Thanks for the heads up on the Sheena Iyengar TED talk @twitter-34759767:disqus : I will definitely watch that. And I really like your line “I believe any business that helps people make important choices –and feel good about those choices – will become increasingly valuable.”
  
  I find it very interesting when companies are prepared to give us boatloads of choice, but really want to be hands-off when it comes to assisting someone in the decision-making process. It’s well exemplified in Professor Schwartz’s video when he talks about going to the doctor.
  
  It used to be the doctor would listen, check and diagnose. Now, it’s listen, check and offer options, as if the patient knows what option is best for them. Isn’t that what we pay people with expertise for? To assist us to make wise decisions?
  
  Don’t get me wrong. I’m not an advocate of abdicating full responsibility to someone else to make decisions on my behalf. But I sure appreciate the help. “I get by with a little help from my friends” http://youtu.be/i24mkN0ybZ8
  
  Cheers! Kaarina
  - http://twitter.com/AlinaKelly Alina Kelly
    
    Schwartz’s doctor story does indeed highlight the paradox beautifully. But the opposite also happens sometimes.
    
    Much of the work I do involves building communication programs for public infrastructure projects. “Public participation” is often touted as very important in these types of projects – so much so that public meetings a legislated requirement for many proposals.
    
    Describing complex infrastructure projects to the average person is very difficult (kind of like the a doctor describing pros and cons of various medical procedures). Experts can help people make decisions by determining what’s important to them, then telling them which options best deliver to their values.
    
    In other words, framing the question in a way that people understand, enables them to make choices while experts sort through the technicalities that deliver on the choice. Fobbing off decision-making responsibility tp a person ill-equipped to make the decision is irresponsible in my view.
    
    Again, making it easier for people to make choices they feel good about is key. Those who can make it a positive experience will win.
    
    Cheers from my corner of the universe!
    - http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
      
      Wise words from your corner of the universe @twitter-34759767:disqus . Well stated. Well framed. Thanks!
http://twitter.com/AlinaKelly Alina Kelly

OOPS. Hyperlink didn’t work. Here’s the link to Sheena Iyengar’s wonderful TED Talk
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/sheena_iyengar_on_the_art_of_choosing.html
Cheers!
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  Thanks @twitter-34759767:disqus . I was just about to go hunting for it:)
http://newenglandmultimedia.com/ Michelle Quillin

I get stuck in “Possibilities Paralysis” all the time, Kaarina! Case in point: I went to CVS a few days ago to get one of those Icy Hot patches, and was presented with several shelves of similar products, all with different brand names — including the knock-off store brand. Unfortunately, I didn’t have my reading glasses with me, so I couldn’t read the fine print on the boxes to check the differences, if there ARE any. Honestly, the fact that I would need to do that annoyed me, because I was pressed for time, as always.

The prices varied so much, I was afraid I would purchase a low-quality product if I chose according to best price. Best price doesn’t mean best value!

The Icy Hot brand was on sale with a special: Buy one, get another at 50% off. I went with it, and tossed caution to the wind. Then I had to move on to finding an anesthetic gel…and here we go again…….
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  It’s a never-ending story of consumer confusion @michellequillin:disqus , when packaging, promises and persistent messaging all compete for our attention. I find that, especially with drug store products, the “name” brand, with the identical ingredients to the generic brand, costs so much more, is packaged much more interestingly and encourages us to believe that it’s the “best”…when in actual fact, its ingredients are identical to the lower priced, not-so-sexily packaged store or generic brand.
  
  I totally get the frustration about needing glasses to read the fine print. And even with glasses on, some of the font sizes are so miniscule they can’t be read unless you have a super powered magnifying glass.
  
  I spent 15 minutes the other day debating among 5 different brands of a product, reading each line in each label and comparing price, quantity (that’s another little trick…I just love comparing grams to ounces to milligrams (Canada-speak) and not knowing which product actually contains more! And I have to admit…once I found that 2 products were identical in size and price, the “allure” of the brand name was like the siren’s song. I sometimes yearn for the days of option A or option B:) Cheers! Kaarina
Susan Oakes

Hi Kaarina,

First time commenting here and it is interesting that simplicity and too much choice is coming back again. Regarding the overwhelming variants in supermarkets one reason manufacturers do this is to increase shelf presence to try and dominate categories. I know this as I worked in consumer goods. What happened in the 90s was that companies such as Unilever realized they couldn’t support and customers were not buying all variants so they sold or got rid of about 4,000 lines. Also when their are no real differences businesses are left to communicate on perception which is a much more expensive way to go.

Soulati made a good point about differentiation and my take is instead of offering a smorgasbord of services like every other business be specific as it helps customers choice and is one way to differentiate a business.
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  Wonderful to see you here @8f1d4bb7eb9a4f405475c191d1efc5fc:disqus , and thanks for taking the time to comment. It’s very interesting about variants, categories and perception, as you point out.
  
  In the Sheena Iyengar video that @twitter-34759767:disqus mentioned in her comment, she talks of a little experiment she did with two shades of nail polish. When she removed the labels and names from the bottles, people didn’t discern a difference in the colour. But when the names were added, people expressed a choice. Just goes to show the expensive way that perception must be communicated, as you said.
  
  And I’m with you on helping customers make choices that are in THEIR best interest, not the provider’s loudest voice.
  
  Please drop by again: the welcome mat’s always out:) Cheers! Kaarina
http://twitter.com/adamtoporek Adam Toporek

Hey K, Love this post!! It is so true. I think the research on this from a consumer behavior standpoint is pretty solid. The more choices we have the less likely we are to make a decision and the less happy we are with the decision we made. (I think Cialdini covers this in his books…)

Just went through this personally. We were picking out a counter top recently and they handed us a book with hundreds of swatches. It degraded the experience significantly. If we would have been given five choices, it would have been so much better.
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  It seems like, as customers/consumers, we get it @twitter-223833082:disqus . And since everyone is at some time a customer in their own life, why do business owners not understand this basic principle? The more choices that are offered, the more frustrating for the consumer, with the possibility that a buying decision isn’t made. Sheesh! Thanks for weighing in. Cheers! Kaarina
http://twitter.com/skypulsemedia Howie at Sky Pulse Media

I keep trying to hit post. But then there is that button for Like. It has a thumbs up. But I also see @bdorman264:disqus ‘s mug in a little box. How did he get that small. Oh and I can add an image wow how cool….I will use a clients product because it has bacon in it.

Where was I? Oh reading @soulati:disqus ‘s comment. Maybe I should respond to her? She is pretty direct and blunt. Maybe she would like an Ice Cream Sandwich?

————————–
4 hrs later
Hits post as Howie at Sky Pulse Media
- http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough
  
  Oh.my.
  
  Thanks for always making my day @howieatskypulsemedia:disqus
- http://soulati.com/blog Soulati
  
  I have never evah been accused of being direct and blunt except in matters of discourse with others who think that accusation accurate when in fact it’s merely a protectionary (read incendiary) device to ensure the sparks fly and the ire rankles.

Possibilities Paralysis: Do we live in an age of too many choices?

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