How to know if you're settling for LESS

The expression "settling for less" gets thrown around quite loosely, but what many people fail to realize is that it is entirely subjective.

One's idea of settling less may not jibe with someone else's.

While you may perfectly content with a GUESS purse, your gaudy friend may feel you're settling for less unless you opt for a more luxurious brand, like Coach or Louis Vuitton.

Or, while you're happy to hook up with average-looking but highly intelligent guys, your sister may insist that you're settling for less unless you set your sights on guys who are a "9" or better in the appearance department.

Furthermore, you may be told you can do better if you are not the CEO of your company, but what if you're happy having a less taxing, lower-paying job if it means spending more quality time with friends and family?

This type of thinking is seriously misguided.

The fact is that people have different tastes and disparate desires. Some of us are higher maintenance than others. Some of us are just easier to please.

Therefore, to tell someone he is "settling for less" is to say "hey, if I were in your shoes, I'd be more selective."

Just because John thinks a Nissan Maxima is better than a Toyota Corolla doesn't mean you have to feel the same way. Maybe you find greater value in a car that is more compact and energy-efficient. Given the higher cost and added features of a Maxima (some of which are difficult for non-car enthusiasts to learn how to use), perhaps you feel that choosing such a car is settling for less. Maybe simpler is more to you.

To always assume that others think the same way and like the same things we do is preposterous. We don't all judge things by the same standards.

The next time someone insinuates that you're settling for less, simply reply with this: "One person's trash is another's treasure."

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