We tend to look for perfect outcomes. Those don’t exist. So, how about trying to look for optimal outcomes in your decision making process? –
You’re not going to be stuck with your decision, there is always a way to tweak, or even, pivot (unless you do that too often – that’s considered ‘flaky’).

What’s important here is ‘weighting’ – not in the strictly mathematical (but still, binary) sense – in your value cloud. (And Erin did stress that – The Higher Goal.)

Which optimal outcome are you going to be able to live with ‘better’ than the above-optimal outcome that does not reflect the things you value?

At first glance, it might appear to be a ‘no-brainer’. -> “Hey, above-optimal, near-perfect outcome that I did not even ask for? Bring it to me!”

Then there is time. Over time, how satisfied with the above-optimal outcome that does not reflect your values, are you going to be? Remorse, regret? Or, just partying on?

My take is this: If the outcome of a decision is not aligned with your values, you are going to suffer in the long run. Which will make all the blessings of an initially-perceived ‘above-optimal’ become naught.

Erin did talk about that in her presentation and I think it is an utterly important point, so I’m going to repeat it: The Higher Goal.

(As Seth Godin said (not sure I quote him precisely): “When the rice & beans are covered, everything else is a narrative.”)