Book Reading #50 - Why We Make Mistakes

Chapter 12: We’ Don’t Constrain Ourselves

In this chapter the author discusses how we often make mistakes because we do not constrain ourselves. He explains that this means we do not make situations in which mistakes are hard to make rather than easy. Scissors are an example of constraining, the small whole cannot possibly contain two fingers and is therefore used for the thumb. By constraining choices we minimize mistakes.The author then goes into several examples of situations in which constraints were not utilized and mistakes were made as a result. One particular example involved Dennis Quaid's children getting the wrong dosage of medicine.

Chapter 13: The Grass Does Look Greener

In this chapter the author discusses how we often make mistakes because we think that a change will make us happier, when in reality it doesn't.The longest example given is that of a couple moving from Wisconsin to California. At first they were very excited about the change, but a few years into it they had a kid and found that California did not have the same morals as they did and was no place to raise a child. Therefore, they ended up moving back to Wisconsin.

Conclusion:

The author ends the book with some simple advice of what to take away from this book. He discusses various ways to avoid mistakes such as thinking small and ends by stating that the most important this is to be happy in whatever you are doing.