Goal Setting, Planning and Decision Making

For example, suppose you are a young lady about to become engaged. Mr.
Right asks you, “Darling, which would you rather have, a $4000.00
engagement ring, or $4000.00 worth of furniture for our new Swiss Chalet”
You find these to be both very attractive alternatives, so you decide to use the
Buriden’s Ass method to decide between them.
What are the drawbacks of the ring
‣ It might get stolen or lost
‣ It isn’t useful like furniture
‣ People might think you married Mr. Right for his money, (or that he had to buy
your consent with a big rock)
‣ It might make your friends feel bad because they have little rings; you might
worry about damaging it, etc.
Now, What are the drawbacks of the furniture
‣ It will wear out eventually and be gone
‣ You might worry about staining or damaging the furniture
‣ Furniture isn’t ”romantic” like diamonds & so on
Try it yourself
Your kindly boss wants to increase your total compensation. He offers you
these choices:
‣ Take an increase in hourly pay
‣ Take a long paid vacation each year and continue to work at same hourly pay
‣ Work fewer hours each week so that you’re per hour rate of pay will increase.
Note: Each option is exactly the same in terms of compensation.
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