Spoiled for Choice
Lately I’ve run into a problem with my writing - I’ve been spoiled for choice on where I should be focusing. I usually like to have several writing projects on the go, so that when I’m not in the mood for one, I’m in the mood for another. However, I’ve tipped the scales from just the right amount of choice to too many choices. Having too many choices is causing me to not choose. Instead of writing, I’m doing other writerly related things (like reading, reformatting things, or just vegging).
I recall reading The Paradox of Choice by Barry Schwartz. One of the things I remember is that when presented with too many choices, a person is more likely to not choose anything. They did the research with flavours of pasta sauce. When there were lots of flavours on the shelf, people often bought none. When there were only three flavours, they would pick one.
The idea is that when we have too much choice, that paralyzed us from making a decision - any decision. Also, that when too many choices were presented, we are less happy with the decision we make - FOMO (Fear of missing out) causes us to wonder if we choose correctly.
I am finding myself paralyzed when it comes to writing. I need to make a smaller number of to do items so that I can get back into writing mode. But what do I let go of? I’m currently working on two books, two podcasts, four blogs, five websites, several essays, a YouTube channel, and a bunch of assignments for my MFA. I gave up on grant applications for the moment, as they were just another item on my list.
I don’t know the answer yet but I felt like writing this blog post was at least a step in the right direction. It lets me tick “write blog post” off my to do list for the at least the short term.