TYRANNY OF OPTIONALITY

Summary from the TLDR Design newsletter

A 2010 Harvard study found that people experience greater happiness when focusing on current activities rather than letting their minds wander to other possibilities. This principle applies strongly to high-potential tech professionals who suffer from constant career optionality, mentally living in alternate career timelines instead of committing to their present roles. The research suggests that being present and committed to one's current career path generates more satisfaction than continually evaluating imaginary alternatives, even when those alternatives seem more appealing.