Ourselves, Our Posterity
In this issue: Decisions, decisions! Are you really making 35,000 a day? Learn the truth about how many choices we make & how aging refines our approach. Plus, practical tips, bogus facts, & books!
35,000 Decisions? The Truth About Decision-Making As We Age
Well-meaning people sometimes perpetuate unsubstantiated information. This happens frequently with numbers, such as the claim that we make 35,000 decisions a day. The number is indeed intriguing, but in reality, it’s not backed by data. Its origin is murky at best, likely stemming from loose conclusions about decision-making rather than rigorous scientific research. For example, a commonly cited study from Cornell University estimated that people make over 200 daily decisions about food alone, and this figure seems to have spiraled into an exaggerated myth.
Despite its dubious foundation, the 35,000 figure has taken on a life of its own. What number is closer to our conscious decisions in a day? Again, that depends on the source. According to social psychologist Sheena Iyengar, we average about 70 choices a day.1
Regardless of the number of conscious decisions we make daily, they can take a mental toll. On the other hand, decision-making is an inherent part of being an autonomous adult.
The “Paradox of Aging” and the Advantages of Aging in Decision-Making
The “paradox of aging” is that older people report greater happiness as they age. Perhaps, as one study found, “Age brings a better ‘perspective’ on what is and is not important.”2 Because of this, making decisions is often made easier.
The wisdom that comes with age is crystallized intelligence comprised of the knowledge and skills we gain from year to year. It draws on our vast number of life experiences. We recall what hurts and what doesn’t, what worked and what didn’t. Pulling from this storehouse of experiences and the feelings accompanying them means much of what we face is familiar; thus, we can make quicker, more confident decisions.
For instance, choosing a new home becomes easier. Although I use and enjoy my pool, if we were to move, my next home wouldn’t have one. The maintenance cost isn’t proportional to the hours used. I also know that two-story houses don’t fit my personality because I find them inconvenient. However, I had to experience living in a townhouse when I was younger to realize this preference.
The same goes for our social decisions, which often become more deliberate with age. Reflecting on how it feels when a so-called “friend” doesn’t respect our boundaries or align with our core values equips us with the wisdom to make more discerning choices about our relationships. Over time, these experiences teach us to prioritize authenticity and compatibility, helping us avoid the trap of peer pressure or societal expectations.
With age, this clarity leads to more purposeful social connections and a sharper focus on spending time with those who truly matter. Growing older allows us to draw on past experiences, which enhances decision-making and helps ensure that our social circles support our emotional well-being.
Slower, But Smarter
Crystallized intelligence compensates for our brain’s decline in processing speed—the brain’s ability to quickly take in information. Furthermore, research shows that decision quality often remains intact or even improves with age. Because we can focus on relevant information and key criteria that matter the most to us, we make decisions that align with our priorities.
Aging also impacts how we approach risk and ambiguity in decision-making. Research shows we can be more risk-averse and ambiguity-averse when dealing with potential losses. However, our risk preferences for gains remain similar to those of younger adults.3
Heightened caution aligns with the financial realities of aging, as fixed or limited incomes leave less room for recovery from financial setbacks. For example, older adults might choose safer investments with lower returns to preserve their savings, prioritizing stability over potential gains.
Consider the process of selecting a healthcare plan during open enrollment. Young adults might quickly skim through plan options, focusing on surface-level information like monthly premiums. In contrast, as older adults, we may take more time to evaluate the options, carefully considering factors such as out-of-pocket maximums, prescription coverage, and provider networks. Our experience with healthcare costs and needs helps us prioritize the most relevant aspects of the plan to our circumstances. While the process may take longer, it often results in a better-informed decision.
While the brain’s processing speed slows with age, the wisdom and experience gained over a lifetime often offset this decline. Older adults tend to approach decisions with caution and deliberation, especially in high-stakes situations involving potential losses.4 By leveraging our accumulated knowledge and taking the time we need, we can make thoughtful, high-quality decisions.
Getting older doesn’t diminish decision-making—it refines it. Aging reshapes how we think about and approach decisions, blending caution with the wisdom of experience. This combination ensures our choices reflect not just what we’ve learned but also who we’ve become. By embracing this refined approach, we can celebrate decision-making as a testament to our growth and a tool for living with meaning and intention.
Sources:
1. Stumped on a Decision? Try an Experiment | Hult International Business School
2. What do we know about aging and emotion regulation? - PMC
4. Salthouse, T. A. (2000). Aging and measures of processing speed. Biological Psychology, 54(1-3), 35-54.
Practical Tips for Better Decision-Making
Limit your choices. Too many options can overwhelm our lazy brains, leading to analysis paralysis. Simplify by narrowing choices to two or three whenever possible.
Have established routines for daily decisions about sleep, eating, and exercise. It will conserve your mental energy and equip you to handle the more significant choices.
Keep your environment organized. Clutter is distracting and time-consuming because it takes longer to access what you need. Tidiness reduces distractions and creates a sense of mental order. (Join the private Facebook group 55+ Growth Mindset Community to get great tips on organizing your life and other content relevant to aging well, living better, and leaving a legacy.)
Writing is a powerful tool for planning or reflection, reducing mental clutter, and sharpening focus. (Watch for the launch of my course on memoir/autobiography writing and read the last issue on writing your vision.)
Make important decisions early in the day when your energy and focus are at their peak.
Organization and writing are excellent ways to ensure we make decisions with confidence and clarity. Watch for upcoming issues on these topics.
Join the private Facebook Group 55+ Growth Mindset Community to age well, live better, and leave a legacy. You can also participate in the 30/30 Get Organized in a Month challenge.
Best Books on Decision-Making
Entrepreneur Omer Lewinsohn compiled a list of the best-decision decision-making books. Here’s the link to his article. The books are listed below.
Decisive: How to Make Better Choices in Life and Work by Chip Heath and Dan Heath
Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don’t Have All the Facts by Annie Duke
Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less by Barry Schwartz
Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness by Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sunstein
Smart Choices: A Practical Guide to Making Better Decisions by John S. Hammond, Ralph L. Keeney, and Howard Raiffa
Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell
Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions by Dan Ariely
The Art of Thinking Clearly by Rolf Dobelli
35,000 and Other Bogus Numbers
We only use 10% of our brains. Neuroscience has debunked this myth. Nearly all parts of the brain have a known function.
You swallow eight spiders a year while sleeping. Ewww! But that's not true! It’s a completely fabricated statistic that ironically stemmed from a 1993 article in PC Professional magazine by Lisa Holst about how quickly false facts circulate online. Spiders are unlikely to crawl into a sleeping person's mouth due to vibrations and airflow that deter them.
The human attention span is shorter than that of a goldfish. It was misinterpreted from a study. Goldfish don’t have an attention span; human attention span depends on many factors such as motivation, interests, and distractions.
You need eight glasses of water daily. This is not based on rigorous science; hydration needs vary greatly based on activity level, body size, and other health factors. Nevertheless, stay hydrated.
People form impressions in seven seconds. While first impressions are quick, this figure is arbitrary. First impressions are, however, often wrong.