Yaqoob Ahmad in The Advice Paradox: The More Advice You Read, The Less Likely You Are To Act

This is the choice paradox.

The more choices you have, the less satisfied you’ll be. An abundance of choices paralyzes us, especially in creative endeavours. I first discovered this when I studied chords, music theory and improvisation. There are 12 major chords, 12 minor chords, 12 major 7th chords, and 12 minor 7th chords. Each of these chords has a corresponding scale of seven notes.

To improvise a melody, start by choosing a scale and three chords. If making that choice didn’t utterly paralyze you, there are a few more options to consider: which notes to use, which order to play them, and what rhythm to use. What made the difference was finding Quiescence Music/. Edward Weiss provided exercises where he assigned a scale and three chords. That reduction of choice increased the freedom to create. If piano improvisation intrigues you, here’s an example of his lesson format.

Usually, we think of writer’s block as an absence of ideas. I’ve got more ideas and sources than I know what to do with. That’s precisely what paralyzes me. I can’t decide which article to start writing, which idea to start researching, or which video or other resource to write a short-form comment about.

After doing research for an article about using apple cider vinegar, I realized I could write from several angles: weight loss claims, side effects, debunking myths, or health claims. Do I choose just…