Why “Satisficers” Often Make Healthier Choices Than Perfectionists

If you’ve ever stood frozen in the cereal aisle comparing fiber content, sugar grams, and price per ounce for ten different boxes, only to leave with none—or worse, the same one you always pick—then congratulations, you’ve experienced “maximizer” decision fatigue. Now imagine someone who walks in, grabs a solid option that checks most of the boxes, and moves on with their day. That’s a satisficer—and science suggests they might just be making the healthier choice, in more ways than one.

In a culture that glorifies optimization—tracking every step, comparing every plan, researching every product—there’s a quiet power in simply choosing what works well enough and moving forward. Not because it’s lazy. But because it’s sustainable, freeing, and often surprisingly wise.

Let’s unpack why satisficers (people who settle for a “good enough” option rather than seeking the absolute best) often end up with less stress, better habits, and more peace of mind than the perfectionists and maximizers around them.

What Does It Mean to Be a Satisficer?

The term “satisficer” was coined by economist and Nobel laureate Herbert Simon in the 1950s. It combines the words satisfy and suffice—referring to people who choose an option that meets their needs rather than endlessly searching for the ideal.

Satisficers aren’t careless or impulsive. They simply recognize when a decision is “good enough” to move forward. In contrast, maximizers feel compelled to explore every possible choice to find the best one—often exhausting themselves in the process.

This mindset difference shows up everywhere: in grocery shopping, job hunting, relationships, meal planning, and health decisions. And while maximizers may believe they’re being more thorough or disciplined, the data tells a different story.

According to a study, maximizers report lower satisfaction, higher regret, and more depression symptoms—even when they make objectively better choices. Why? Because the pursuit of perfect often overshadows the joy of enough.

The Perfectionism Trap in Daily Health Decisions

Perfectionism doesn’t just live in spreadsheets or productivity hacks. It sneaks into your health goals, too. It’s the voice that says:

• “If I can’t do a full 60-minute workout, why bother?”
• “I ate one cookie, so the day’s already ruined.”
• “I have to find the best diet for my body before I start anything.”

This kind of thinking can lead to all-or-nothing behavior, chronic start-and-stop cycles, and a feeling that health is always just out of reach. Satisficers, on the other hand, take a more flexible approach:

• A 20-minute walk is better than nothing.
• One cookie doesn’t cancel out a day of healthy choices.
• A decent meal plan that fits your life now is better than waiting for the perfect one you’ll never stick to.

That slight shift—choosing what’s good enough for today instead of chasing perfect for tomorrow—can create consistency, which is the real secret sauce in long-term health.

Why “Good Enough” Often Is the Healthier Option

Here’s something important: health isn’t about making perfect choices; it’s about making sustainable ones. And this is where satisficers quietly win.

Let’s look at some key reasons why satisficers tend to make better choices in the long run:

1. They Avoid Decision Fatigue

When every choice feels like a high-stakes evaluation, your mental energy drains fast. Satisficers preserve that energy by deciding quickly and moving on. This reduces stress and leaves more bandwidth for bigger decisions later.

A study from Columbia University estimates that the average person makes over 70 conscious decisions a day. The more decisions you face, the more the quality of those decisions tends to deteriorate—unless you streamline the process.

2. They’re More Consistent Over Time

Perfectionists often burn bright and fizzle out. Satisficers may start slower, but their pace is steady. That makes them more likely to stick with routines like exercise, meal planning, or sleep hygiene because they’re not waiting for ideal conditions.

3. They Adapt Instead of Quit

When life gets messy—as it inevitably does—satisficers adjust. If they can’t hit the gym, they stretch at home. If they’re tired, they make a simple dinner instead of ordering out. They don’t throw the whole plan away just because one piece broke.

That ability to pivot is powerful. It means less self-criticism and more self-compassion, which we know correlates with better mental and physical health outcomes.

The Psychology Behind Why Satisficers Thrive

The reason satisficers tend to have a healthier mindset comes down to how they experience control and satisfaction.

1. They Trust Themselves

Satisficers don’t outsource their confidence to algorithms, reviews, or 50 expert opinions. They gather just enough information, make a decision, and trust their judgment. This builds a quiet but powerful self-assurance.

2. They Minimize Regret

Maximizers often wonder, “Could I have chosen better?” That lingering doubt creates dissatisfaction—even after a solid choice. Satisficers accept trade-offs. They don’t expect every choice to be perfect, so they don’t spiral if it’s not.

3. They Focus on What Matters

Rather than getting lost in endless micro-decisions (like comparing workout shoes or protein powders), satisficers prioritize the bigger picture. They focus on movement, nourishment, rest, and connection—not perfection in every detail.

This simplicity leads to clarity. And clarity, as it turns out, is far healthier than constant second-guessing.

How to Shift from Maximizing to Satisficing (Without Settling)

If you’re a lifelong perfectionist, the idea of satisficing might sound like giving up. It’s not. It’s choosing progress over paralysis. It’s not lowering your standards—it’s realigning them with reality.

Here’s how you can start practicing a satisficer mindset in everyday life:

1. Set “Good Enough” Benchmarks

Decide what qualifies as a “win” before you’re in the moment. For example:

• A healthy breakfast = protein + fiber (not a Pinterest-worthy smoothie)
• A successful workout = anything that raises your heart rate for 15+ minutes
• A good day = one decision you feel proud of, not perfection all day long

These benchmarks remove ambiguity and reduce the pressure to perform.

2. Use Time Limits for Decisions

When choosing something like a meal plan, workout app, or even a supplement—set a timer. Give yourself 15–30 minutes max to research and decide. Then move forward. Done is better than endless.

3. Practice Self-Compassion Daily

Remind yourself that nobody nails it all the time. Progress is made in ordinary choices, not extraordinary ones. Be kind to yourself when things feel “meh.” That mindset makes it easier to keep going.

Real-Life Satisficing Scenarios (That Actually Work)

To make this even more grounded, let’s walk through how satisficing looks in action—and why it leads to healthier outcomes.

Scenario 1: Meal Planning

Perfectionist mindset: “I need a week’s worth of healthy, varied, balanced meals—and they should be mostly organic, low-sodium, and ideally keto-adjacent.” Satisficer mindset: “I’ll pick 3 go-to dinners and rotate them. They’re healthy-ish and easy. I’ll batch cook and add variety later.”

Result: Less stress, more follow-through, fewer late-night takeout runs.

Scenario 2: Fitness Routine

Perfectionist mindset: “If I can’t do 45 minutes at the gym with weights and cardio, I’m skipping today.” Satisficer mindset: “I’ll go for a 20-minute walk or do a short YouTube workout. It keeps the habit alive.”

Result: More consistency, fewer injuries, better mental health.

Scenario 3: Sleep Goals

Perfectionist mindset: “I need a strict 10pm bedtime, a cold dark room, zero screens, and perfect sleep hygiene.” Satisficer mindset: “I’ll aim for 7–8 hours. I’ll wind down early, cut screens a bit, and forgive myself if I miss it once in a while.”

Result: Better sleep over time, less anxiety about it.

True Takeaways

• Consistency beats intensity. A “pretty good” habit repeated often is more powerful than the perfect one you never stick to.
• Decision fatigue is real. The fewer micro-decisions you agonize over, the more energy you have for what matters.
• Your standards don’t have to be universal. What’s “good enough” for you might not be for someone else—and that’s perfectly okay.
• Satisfaction comes from action. You won’t find clarity by endlessly thinking—you find it by choosing and adjusting as you go.
• Self-compassion fuels progress. Being kind to yourself isn’t letting yourself off the hook; it’s what keeps you in the game.

Don’t Let Perfect Be the Enemy of Healthy

In the age of endless options, where even your sleep tracker tracks your sleep tracker, it’s easy to believe that every choice has to be optimized, curated, and flawless. But here’s the quiet truth that satisficers have figured out: chasing perfect can actually cost you your health, your time, and your peace.

You don’t have to be a full-on minimalist or give up on growth. But you can decide that doing “well enough” is sometimes the healthiest, wisest move you can make.

So next time you're caught in the loop of “just one more article” or “I’ll start when it’s perfect,” try something different: pick the good-enough option, move forward, and trust yourself to course correct along the way.

Because often, the most powerful choice isn’t the perfect one—it’s the one you actually make.