Just do it. Just fking do it, but don’t be an ass.
Buridan’s ass is a fun metaphor for decision paralysis, and the necessity of making imperfect choices in an uncertain world. An ass (donkey) that is equally hungry and thirsty is placed precisely midway between a stack of hay and a pail of water. Since the paradox assumes the donkey will always go to whichever is closer, it dies of both hunger and thirst since it cannot make any rational decision between the hay and water.
Bias to action. Nothing gets done without bias, but don’t be an ass.
The paradox of Buridan’s ass is a vivid illustration of the perils of indecision. In a world of imperfect information, there’s rarely a choice that’s clearly right. For most big decisions, the best you can do is make a thoughtful guess based on the available information and your own judgment.
And that’s okay. The cost of inaction almost always outweighs the cost of making a suboptimal choice. Even if the path you choose isn’t perfect, you’ll learn and adapt as you go. But if you never choose a path, you can’t go anywhere.
So the next time you find yourself stuck between two equally weighted options, resist the urge to keep agonizing. Set yourself a deadline, make the best choice you can with the information you have, and commit to it. It may not be comfortable, but it’s the only way forward.