The Advantages of Closing a Few Doors

[Extend a Hand]

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/26/science/26tier.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all&oref=login

The next time you’re juggling options — which friend to see, which house to buy, which career to pursue — try asking yourself this question: What would Xiang Yu do?

Xiang Yu was a Chinese general in the third century B.C. who took his troops across the Yangtze River into enemy territory and performed an experiment in decision making. He crushed his troops’ cooking pots and burned their ships.

He explained this was to focus them on moving forward — a motivational speech that was not appreciated by many of the soldiers watching their retreat option go up in flames. But General Xiang Yu would be vindicated, both on the battlefield and in the annals of social science research.

He is one of the role models in Dan Ariely’s new book, “Predictably Irrational,” an entertaining look at human foibles like the penchant for keeping too many options open. General Xiang Yu was a rare exception to the norm, a warrior who conquered by being unpredictably rational.

Fascinating article. It continues with details about his MIT research and findings on the topic. My husband and I are debating on whether or not to retire early and this article really made me think.

[RaleighNCDUer]

1. There's something to be said for that -

When I was in school as a theater major I deliberately avoided any education classes, so as to keep from having teaching as a 'fall-back' position. I was going to make it, and didn't want to retreat to teaching if I hit a rough patch like my dad did.

Unfortulately, I failed to take into account the fact that I had no talent.

Ah, well.

[eleny]

2. When I first moved to Colorado from NYC....

I could still go back to my old job in NY because I left with a leave of absence. Then one day I realized that I should make a stronger commitment to stay in Colorado. So I resigned from my NYC job.

I was living out in the country and set my letter in the mailbox and put the flag up. Then went into the kitchen, made myself a cup of coffee and watched as the mail lady drove down the road and picked it up. I watched my letter literally go on up the road in a cloud of dust.

That was in 1976 and was one of my better decisions.