Why people want what they can't have

Whether it's someone who's already in a relationship, a job for which we didn't make the shortlist, or an item we want that never seems to be in stock anywhere we look, human beings want the unobtainable -- that which is difficult (if not impossible) to make ours.

Why does this happen?

We assign a higher value to things and people that we deem as being in high demand. If something is too easy to snag, we're led to believe that no one else wants it, so we'd be settling for less by making it our choice.

Is it any wonder that stores are able to lure customers with advertisements that say "available for a limited-time" and "while supplies last"?

Are those products really in short supply? My guess would be no -- at least not all the time. Retailers capitalize on the fact that people have an aversion to feeling left out. The thought of someone else possessing an item they want for themselves drives people to shell out their money, often in large amounts.

In the career realm, it can really sting when a job we really want seems out of reach, whether it's because we don't have the qualifications or experience they're looking for, the hiring manager never apprises us on the status of the position after we've interviewed for it, etc.

As soon as we learn that they've received a slew of applications for the position, our interest in the job tends to go through the roof. No one likes to feel as though they've lost, and job searching can surely feel like a competition.

Speaking of stiff competition, how about when we pursue someone who seems to have many suitors?  We try to do whatever we can to stand out, but we recognize the odds may not be in our favor.

Another example involves people who say they're not interested in or ready for a relationship. This can drive us batty as we question whether we're just not good enough for them, of if they really have their eye on someone else.

The interesting thing to note is that many people are all about the chase. Once they have whatever it is they've been longing for, they take it for granted and turn their attention to the next conquest.

Indeed, the thrill of the challenge drives these individuals, and they find it difficult to feel content for too long.

As I've noted in prior posts, we should make a conscious effort every once in a while to stop and be grateful for the things and people in our lives, because at any moment in time, we may lose them while going in pursuit of the next big challenge.

Instead of wanting what we can't have, we should want what we already have. Those who can't accept that they'll never get everything they want are in for a rude awakening.