What is decision fatigue?

Have you ever looked back at some of the questionable decisions you’ve made and seen a pattern? It may be due to decision fatigue. Decision fatigue is the concept that your ability to make good decisions becomes worse after making a series of decisions earlier in the day.

Decision fatigue can lead to a plethora of negative outcomes. A senseless argument with your spouse or colleague. An impulse purchase that sets you back financially. An unusually snarky email sent to a potential referring partner. 

Here are 7 ways to avoid decision fatigue.

1- Limit the number of decisions you have to make each day. Steve Jobs was said to have worn the same outfit every day to reduce decision fatigue. One less thing to think about using precious mental bandwidth. Those who prefer a consistent daily routine are less likely to suffer decision fatigue. 

2- Make important decisions sooner than later. Like the analogy of filling a jar with rocks, pebbles, and sand, your mental energy is finite. Prioritize which decisions to make first based on their order of importance. 

3- Identify what’s in your control and what is not. This is called the dichotomy of control. Don’t attempt to make decisions about things you ultimately cannot influence. 

4- Fewer options are better. Salespeople have learned the more decisions you give a prospect, the more likely it is that they’ll decide…to do nothing! Pare down your choices and also how you present your services. 

5- Seek counsel. Getting feedback from trusted friends and advisors can help reduce indecisiveness or what we like to call the paralysis of analysis. Chances are they may have faced a similar quandary. 

6- Do less. Schedule time for silence. Set aside an hour or two with no interaction on your phone whether it be email, social media, or news feeds. The less information you attempt to jam into your brain each day the less likely you are to suffer decision fatigue. 

7- Know your energy levels. Many have found it’s best to eat 5-6 emails a day to keep their blood sugar, the fuel for our brain, steady without the cloud of exhaustion or confusion.