know when to quit looking

it is an unfortunate truth: the perfect solution seldom exists. but that doesn't stop a lot of people from endlessly ( and unrealistically) pursuing one. it's important to be careful and thorough in laying out your alternatives. obsessing over them, though, is a different matter. it taeks a heavier toll in time and in mental and emotional energy that is justified.

how will you know when enogh is enough. you need to balance the effort made against the quality of the alternatives found. to strike the right balance, ask yourself these questions:

hae you thought hard aobut your alterantives, using the techniques listed on pages 5056？

would you be satisfied with one of your existing alternaties as a final deicisions?

do you hae a range of alternaties? are some alternatives distinctly different form the others? (if your alternatives all seem too similar, you need to push your creativity).

do other elements of this deicison ( such as conwequesnce and tradeoffs) requrie yourtime and attention?

would time spent on other decisions or activities be more productive?

if you answered "yes" to each of thees questions, stop looking for more alternaties and apply your energies elsewhere.