Decision Fatigue

What should you have for breakfast? Which email deserves your attention first? Who’s taking notes in that meeting you’re already dreading? And let’s not forget the nail-biter: what’s for dinner (why am I always thinking about what’s for dinner)? By the time you get to that last question, you might feel like you’ve run a marathon… in flip-flops.

From picking your outfit to tackling your inbox, our brains are constantly on the go. Some studies suggest we make around 35,000 decisions each day. That’s a lot of mental heavy lifting. While having options can feel empowering, it can also leave you feeling depleted, foggy, and a little overwhelmed. Sound familiar?

If you’ve ever reached the end of the day and found yourself staring blankly at the fridge, wondering how you ended up there, you’re not alone. Welcome to the world of decision fatigue, where even the simplest choices can feel monumental. Let’s break it down and find ways to reclaim your energy and sanity.

So… what Is decision fatigue?

Decision fatigue is exactly what it sounds like… you’re worn out from making decisions. The more choices you tackle, the more drained you become, leading to:

• Procrastination: “I’ll figure that out later.”
• Hasty choices: “Let’s just do it this way and get it over with.”
• Analysis paralysis: “I need a little more time to think.”

You only have limited mental energy for decision-making, and each choice chips away at it until you feel tapped out. This common phenomenon can affect anyone, from people in important positions, like nurses and police officers, to people like agency principals, who are not nearly as critical to our daily lives.

What causes decision fatigue?

One term you might hear is ego depletion, which suggests that individual willpower is a finite resource that can run dry. While some researchers debate this theory, the impact of decision fatigue is real.
You might experience decision fatigue if you:

• Make a lot of decisions: The sheer volume can be daunting, especially in leadership roles.
• Face high-stakes choices: Complex decisions carry more stress and mental drain.
• Deal with high stress: Stress can impair decision-making, creating a problematic cycle.
• Strive for perfection: Perfectionists may feel heightened pressure with every choice.
• Lack of sleep: Sleep deprivation directly impacts your cognitive function and decision-making abilities.

In short, the more decisions you make, the more fatigued you become. It’s a slippery slope.

Sure, but is it really a big deal?

Yes, it’s a big deal! Decision fatigue can derail your life and compromise your happiness. When you’re spent and unfocused, the effects show up at home and in the office:

• Decision avoidance: You dodge choices until absolutely necessary. For example, your team keeps postponing what ads to submit for the award show and the registration deadline passes.
• Cognitive biases: A tired brain seeks easy answers, falling back on familiar but potentially incorrect perceptions. For example, your team pushes an ambitious project timeline without confirming its feasibility… optimism bias at work.
• Decisional conflict and regret: Fatigue can lead to increased doubt and debate, as well as unease after a decision is made. For example, you decide nothing in the fridge will work for dinner and you get drive-through fast food on the way home. Immediate regret.

In short, decision fatigue results in suboptimal choices—whether they’re delayed, rushed, biased, unsupported, or contested.

Ways you and your team can fight decision fatigue

You and your team want to make smart decisions, and keeping decision fatigue at bay is key. Here are some strategies to help:

1. Set Up Systems – Reduce decision-making by making choices once. Consider routines like “Leftovers Monday” or use templates to simplify processes, mental overload, and anxiety.
2. Follow a Structure – Use a decision-making framework to make choices more manageable. Tools like Trello can help you organize tasks and clarify team roles, making it easier to collaborate and remain productive.
3. Leverage Team Strengths – Delegate decisions based on team members’ strengths. This allows those passionate about specific areas to take ownership, making the process smoother and more efficient.
4. Manage Stress – High decision volume increases stress. To keep anxiety low, ensure reasonable workloads, limit high-stakes decisions, and provide necessary resources for your team.
5. Prioritize Decisions – Tackle complex decisions when you’re most focused, ideally early in the day. By prioritizing impactful choices, you can conserve energy for less significant decisions later.
6. Partner Up – This can be someone who plays a personal or professional role in your life (or both). Having a different perspective, or unbridled support is hugely beneficial to relieving decision fatigue. Co-workers, mentors, and spouses can enhance your decision-making process.
7. Take Breaks – If you notice irritability or exhaustion, pause. A short break—like a quick walk or snack—can help recharge your mind and bring clarity to your decision-making.

Believe it or not, you’re making thousands of decisions every day. It’s like a never-ending game of “this or that,” and let me tell you, it can drain your focus, energy, and ambition faster than you can say “What’s for dinner?” (it’s always about dinner).

Decision fatigue doesn’t have to be a lifelong unwanted roommate. There are plenty of steps you can take to lighten the load of all those choices. As for which ones to pick? Well, that’s entirely up to you—no pressure, right?

GIF REFERENCE: TENOR.COM