The upside of irrationality – Dan Ariely
This weekend I listened to “The Upside of Irrationality: The Unexpected Benefits of Defying Logic at Work and at Home” by Dan Ariely. Once again Dan writes, with a really witty and friendly prose, an important look at how we make decisions. Although it seemed there weren’t really many upsides I think that some of them were left to us to conjure. He does make some examples but he probably should have done more so in each chapter.
The hope in many cases is either that by knowing our irrational tendencies we’d be able to recognize the pattern and not make the bad calls. Or use the irrational tendencies to architect our decisions in a more constructive matter. I am big on the second strategy, choice architecture.
The best part for me was with regard to how our emotions have a long lasting imprinting on our decision making so that we might not just make a rash, irrational DECISION on the moment, because of our particular, and completely unrelated, state of mind, but later we’d make another bad DECISION based on the previous one. Long after the emotional feelings have faded the decisions are left there to coerce us. Causing an avalanche effect of bad decisions all caused by something completely unrelated.
Bad emotions causing bad decisions causing bad decisions causing bad emotions.
- Image via Wikipedia
There were plenty of chapters to which I could directly relate and could use immediately. Chapter 2, “The Meaning of Labor”, in particular struck a chord with me because of my previous experiences. I am highly motivated by the meaning of my effort.
The 2 most depressing jobs that I held were at companies where my work would get continuously get discarded or shelved. The second position lasted for 4 years where I’d slave over project after project and they’d all be shelved before launch. In total close to 6 years of R&D with very little to show up for beside experience.
These experiences left me looking for meaning more than anything in my work. In a way I have been scarred for life.
In fact if I don’t see a strong meaning in a particular task given to me, it’s very hard for me to motivate myself and do it, no matter the amount of money you throw at me. If I receive too many, I’ll just quit or facilitate the elimination of my position.
In general I can draw many parallels between the concept discussed in the book and my personal and professional life. How to motivate my kids, myself to do chores. How to market and connect with the visitors to my sites. How to write marketing copy that sells. Ideas for future businesses. How to evaluate what I want to do when I finally grow up.
I give a 4.5 out 5. Buy it, read it, use it.
In the meantime I am going to give a second listening and this time I’ll jot down the ideas when they comes.