Life Choices

The four principles that can help us to overcome our brains' natural biases to make better, more informed decisions--in our lives, careers, families and organizations. In Decisive, Chip Heath and Dan Heath, the bestselling authors of Made to Stick and Switch, tackle the thorny problem of how to overcome our natural biases and irrational thinking to make better decisions, about our work, lives, companies and careers. When it comes to decision making, our brains are flawed instruments. But given that we are biologically hard-wired to act foolishly and behave irrationally at times, how can we do better? A number of recent bestsellers have identified how irrational our decision making can be. But being aware of a bias doesn't correct it, just as knowing that you are nearsighted doesn't help you to see better. In Decisive, the Heath brothers, drawing on extensive studies, stories and research, offer specific, practical tools that can help us to think more clearly about our options, and get out of our heads, to improve our decision making, at work and at home.

Through readings of 15 life-history interviews, this book creates a framework for the interpretation of dilemmas and decisions. As each individual recounts a specific instance when a life choice was necessary, the supporting analysis reveals the framework that triggered the sense that a turning point had been reached. The author's basic premise is that common sense and mainstream psychology fail to enlighten us about what is actually involved in major life choices. He argues that individuals tend to make decisions that are not in their best interests and that these decisions tend to reinforce the sociocultural structures that were instrumental in the creation of their dilemmas.

Everything we create in life begins as an image in the mind, whether it's a passionate affair or a new business venture. But the power of images goes well beyond illustrating the 'germ of an idea'; used in its full capacity, it has the potential to transform us all. In her bestselling classic LIFE CHOICES, LIFE CHANGES, Dr Dina Glouberman explains how each of us can use the incredibly effective practice of imagework as a self-help tool to uncover our own personal vision for changing our life for the better. Her innovative approach synthesises imagery, visualisation and counselling techniques, and provides the practical techniques for understanding where we are now in our life, and how to get to where we want to be. Infinitely applicable to all areas of life - from self-image, relationships and health to work and managing money, it is the perfect guide for anyone wanting to make the best of themselves.

Developments are taking place in palliative care in which 'patient choice' has become a central idea, and patients have an enlarged idea of their best interests. This book creates debate among all those involved in care of the terminally ill, including specialists, policy makers, researchers and ethicists.

Whether we're buying a pair of jeans, ordering a cup of coffee, selecting a long-distance carrier, applying to college, choosing a doctor, or setting up a 401(k), everyday decisions—both big and small—have become increasingly complex due to the overwhelming abundance of choice with which we are presented. As Americans, we assume that more choice means better options and greater satisfaction. But beware of excessive choice: choice overload can make you question the decisions you make before you even make them, it can set you up for unrealistically high expectations, and it can make you blame yourself for any and all failures. In the long run, this can lead to decision-making paralysis, anxiety, and perpetual stress. And, in a culture that tells us that there is no excuse for falling short of perfection when your options are limitless, too much choice can lead to clinical depression. In The Paradox of Choice, Barry Schwartz explains at what point choice—the hallmark of individual freedom and self-determination that we so cherish—becomes detrimental to our psychological and emotional well-being. In accessible, engaging, and anecdotal prose, Schwartz shows how the dramatic explosion in choice—from the mundane to the profound challenges of balancing career, family, and individual needs—has paradoxically become a problem instead of a solution. Schwartz also shows how our obsession with choice encourages us to seek that which makes us feel worse. By synthesizing current research in the social sciences, Schwartz makes the counter intuitive case that eliminating choices can greatly reduce the stress, anxiety, and busyness of our lives. He offers eleven practical steps on how to limit choices to a manageable number, have the discipline to focus on those that are important and ignore the rest, and ultimately derive greater satisfaction from the choices you have to make.