We may be seeing maximizer and satisficer in different ways. The research I'm familiar with shows maximizers are less happy than satisficers, and that it's not a matter of personality so much as a cognitive style of viewing the world. It's similar to perfectionism, which also tends to be associated with unhappiness and dissatisfaction.
If it's working for you, though, more power to you. I have a bit of the maximizer tendency, but I've worked on it, to the point where I can still have high standards, but it doesn't interfere in my life.
Personality could very well be not the best or most appropriate word.
The example I understand is when we used to go to Blockbuster Video to rent a movie. My satisficer kid would randomly scan some random part of the selection available until they came across one that they thought they would like, and then they were done..."Let's get this one, Dad"
When choosing for myself, I would start at "A" and move towards "Z", grabbing each potentially good movie case. Once reaching "Z", I'd go through the six or so I had selected, comparing each in terms of genre, length, rating, rental cost, previews, and probably some other criteria. Sometimes I would do head-to-head matchups and eliminations, until getting down to the One Movie For Tonight.
My method takes longer, but I think it results in me seeing a better movie. My kid's method is fast, and they are happy with the movie they get to see.
It was harder when we both wanted to rent a movie at the same time and our methods clashed. "C'mon, Dad, let's just get this one!" "Hang on, kid, I'm only on 'C'"
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It could be that we each maximize and satisfice in different areas. The same kid who satisficed on movies now maximizes on his beautiful, clean, well-apppointed and excellently-maintained car, whereas I satisfice on mine which needs a wash and gets me from point A to point B.
And I enjoy my retirement without much need to document it in long numbered lists or 15-point grading scales. I do find that I need to balance how much I do and also between productive stuff (learning, exercising, philanthropy) and fun stuff (movies, golf, vacations). So perhaps that is an area where I satisfice and you maximize.
I have been accused of being a perfectionist. Sometimes it bothers me and in those cases I work on it, but most of the time I like myself the way I am. I do recognize the need to compromise in situations (like the movie selection process) where differences exist.
Anyhow, my point is that people can have very different standards for what qualifies as a happy, successful, and contented retirement.
Agreed.
