Chapter 5: Conflict! Conflict!

A metaphor for me, a consumer.

I often find myself in a total "deer in headlights" situation when shopping. I feel like whenever I decide to leave my apartment and go buy something, or even when I shop online, I'm faced with so many decisions, not to mention marketing messages telling me to make even more decisions. It's quite hard to cut through all of the noise and really hone in on what it is I actually need to purchase, though that rarely ever happens.

So many things to impulse purchase...

Anytime I go out to buy something specific, I end up unintentionally buying anything and everything that catches my eye, forgetting to purchase what I even came for in the first place. I think a lot of people, myself included, have trouble making decisions when there are too many options placed in front of them.

Here's what normally happens to me at restaurants:

One of my favorite (hidden) spots in Rochester.

• I visit a restaurant that I've been to many times before. 
• I realize that I've ordered the same entree the last 4 times I've visited.
• I make a decision to try something new and exciting. 
• I spend a long time trying to sift through the many menu options. My friends give me a look. I'm that guy. ("Sorry! We're going to need another minute!")
• I place my finger on the new, exciting meal that I'd like to try.
• The server comes over to take my order.
• With my finger and eyes on the new item, I accidentally blurt out the entree that I've already had 4 times before.
• Disappointment ensues. Rinse and repeat.

I'm definitely not too great at making purchase decisions, or taking risks when spending money. In this case, I'm faced with an approach-approach conflict. I'd very much like to consume both menu items, but cognitive dissonance takes over, and I go with the safe, familiar option every single time.

One of these days I'll order something new. 

Another topic in this chapter that stood out to me was the idea of productivity orientation. Over the last two years of my college career I've developed an intense fear of laziness. I stress (more than I should) if I'm unable to get schoolwork done early. I freak out when I'm unable to go out running. Okay, maybe that's an exaggeration. Not so much a fear, but the formation of good habits. But I do feel as if this is a good motivator to improve my self-esteem and overall well-being.

One of my best friends showed me the light (he also introduced me to the wonderful world of coffee, which was probably a bad thing). He's the type of person who uses every single minute of his day to the fullest extent possible, Carpe Diem(ing) the hell out of Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, etc. etc. Whether filling that time with schoolwork, exercise, or just positive experiences, he's got it down to a science. It seems tiring from the outside, but it's definitely rubbed off on me, in the best possible way I think. 

If there's one thing to avoid in life, it's probably stagnation.