Meet Sam, a park ranger who’s been at it for a while. Sam sets their predictability/mystery balance at 60% predictability and 40% mystery—liking steady days with some surprises. Here’s how they rate a day as a park ranger:

Sam kicks off at a ranger station, maps in hand, surrounded by endless trees. “I rate the environment a 9,” Sam says. “It’s wild and free—bugs aside, it’s near perfect.” They hike trails solo, checking wildlife, occasionally chatting with hikers or radioing their small crew. “The people get a 6. I enjoy the solitude, but a little more connection could be nice.” Around noon, they guide a lost family back to safety. “Helping others? That’s an 8—it feels great to help.” Patrols are routine, but weather shifts add surprises. “Predictability/mystery is a 9—the mix is very close to my 60/40 ideal balance.” At dusk, Sam takes in the view. “The appreciation’s a 9. I’m so grateful for this.” Total: 41/50.

But Sam’s been daydreaming about being an office manager. They picture a day in a quiet office—desks, no bugs. “The environment? A 6. Comfy, but I’d miss the trees.” They’d manage a team, meetings all day. “The people would be an 8—more interaction’s appealing.” They’d feel grateful for steady pay, rating the appreciation a 7. “Helping others, like organizing the team, gets a 6—useful, but less direct.” The 9-to-5 is very routine. “Predictability/mystery is a 7—too predictable for my 60/40 ideal balance.” Total: 34/50.

Sam’s sizing up both paths with six factors: the environment, the people, the appreciation, helping others, predictability, and mystery, rating predictability and mystery together as how well the mix satisfies their ideal balance. Park ranger wins for now, but they’re still thinking. What about you? Try it with your own paths below!