We were chatting to my partner’s uncle who had driven down in his campervan to meet us. At one point he mentioned: ‘I’ve always thought that the key to life is choice.’ I think he might be right! It’s the same as optionality.
He also reckoned that a lot of people work themselves out of choices. This morning was a perfect example …
After swimming training, I was commenting to a team mate that he was very fit, and that he must be looking forward to the Nationals. He said he probably wouldn’t go to the Nationals because he might go to Germany instead. Clearly he wasn’t sure whether the trip was going ahead. I suggested that he should register for the swimming event anyway; he could always drop out, and anyway, the event will fill up and he wouldn’t want to miss out in case the Germany trip does go ahead. He, however, didn’t want to because, if he pays the £50 registration fee and doesn’t go, he cannot get the money back.
I saw it differently: for something as important as this, it was worth keeping the option, even if there’s a cost attached.
It’s a reminder that the money can be used quite effectively for increasing choices, but too often we’re our money is spent on the consumption – and the consumption of things which may not give us extra optionality aligned with our needs and purpose.