Decision Fatigue

Why Decision Fatigue Leads to Procrastination

Decision fatigue is exactly what it sounds like: it’s the mental exhaustion that comes from making too many decisions in a short period. When we’re faced with a continuous stream of choices, our ability to make good decisions can deteriorate over time. This phenomenon often leads to procrastination, as our brains struggle to engage with decisions when we feel overwhelmed. We might think, “I’ll make that decision later,” which is a common reaction to decision fatigue.

Imagine our decision-making capacity as a quota; each day, we have a limited number of decisions we can effectively make. Once that quota is depleted, our mental faculties begin to slow down. You might notice that some highly successful individuals, like entrepreneurs Mark Zuckerberg and Steve Jobs, often wear the same outfits daily. This deliberate choice helps them conserve their decision-making energy for more critical matters.

Decision Fatigue

The Hidden Thieves of Decision Quota

One of the most common culprits stealing our decision-making energy is our email inbox. Most people spend countless hours scanning their inboxes, trying to decide which emails require immediate attention and which can wait. Each time we engage with an email, we’re faced with decisions: Do I respond now? Should I archive it? Is this important? This repeated handling of emails leads to mental fatigue, making it even harder to make significant decisions later in the day.

According to David Allen, author of the book Getting Things Done, we must reduce the number of touchpoints we have with decisions. Every time we interact with something—be it an email or a task—we’re making a choice, and the cumulative effect can lead to exhaustion.

Decision Fatigue

Tips to Combat Decision Fatigue

 

Here are some actionable strategies to help you combat decision fatigue and improve your decision-making processes:

  1. Make Important Decisions in the Morning: Research shows that our minds are sharper and more decisive in the morning. If you need to persuade someone or get buy-in for a project, aim for the morning hours when they are more likely to say yes.
  2. Establish Daily Routines: Create routines with pre-made choices to minimise daily decision-making. For example, meal prep at the beginning of the week can save you from pondering what to eat each day.
  3. Take Breaks: Allow your brain to rest by stepping away from your work periodically. Taking breaks helps eliminate distractions and can reenergise your mind, making it easier to make decisions.
  4. Outsource and Delegate: Consider delegating decisions to others or using digital tools that automate your choices. For example, instead of deciding how to manage each email, you could set up filters or folders to categorise them automatically.
  5. Utilise Summaries: When working with a team, ask team members to review information and provide recommendations. This approach minimises the cognitive load on you, making it easier to make informed decisions.
  6. Plan Ahead: Anticipate future decisions by creating checklists or plans. For instance, a packing list for trips (that you can re-use for regular trips) helps eliminate last-minute decision-making about what to bring.
  7. Set Time Limits: Give yourself a deadline for making a decision. This creates urgency and can help you push through decision fatigue more effectively.
  8. Clarify Your Purpose: Develop a clear personal vision, mission, and purpose statement. These guiding principles act as filters for your decisions, helping you determine whether a choice aligns with your goals.
  9. Establish Boundaries: Understanding what you’re willing to say “no” to can help you say yes with more confidence. Stronger boundaries make decision-making easier.
  10. Reduce Useless Decisions: Identify and eliminate small, repetitive decisions that don’t serve you. This frees up mental energy for more significant choices.
Decision Fatigue
Decision fatigue is a real challenge that can impact your time management and mental well-being. By recognising the things that contribute to decision fatigue and implementing these strategies, you can conserve your mental energy for the choices that truly matter.

If you have any additional tips or strategies for managing decision fatigue, I would love to hear them!

Do’s and Don’ts for Successful Stand-Up Meetings

Do’s:

    • Do prioritise significant decisions for when you have the most mental energy.
    • Do create routines that minimise unnecessary choices.
    • Do delegate or automate repetitive decision-making tasks.
    • Do take regular breaks to recharge your mental resources.
    • Do clarify your purpose and goals to guide your decisions.

    Don’ts:

    • Don’t overload your day with important decisions; make important ones in the morning and eliminate as many unnecessary ones as possible.
    • Don’t fall into the trap of indecision; set deadlines for your choices.
    • Don’t waste mental energy on trivial decisions that can be easily standardised.
    • Don’t ignore the importance of self-care; fatigue can impair your decision-making abilities.
    • Don’t overlook the impact of your environment on decision fatigue; create a workspace that minimises distractions.
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Why Decision Fatigue Leads to Procrastination meme
Boost Your Decision-Making Power With Our Prioritisation Tool

If you often feel overwhelmed and find yourself procrastinating due to decision fatigue, learning to prioritise effectively can make all the difference. Using a proven prioritisation tool can help you identify the most important tasks to focus on, so you can reduce decision fatigue and stay productive throughout the day.

Famous figures like General Eisenhower and Steven Covey used similar tools to make their time and decisions more effective. Our Prioritisation Tool is designed to do just that—simplifying your daily choices and providing you with an incredible digital resource that automates your action lists.

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About the Author

Barbara Clifford - The Hinwood Institute
Barbara Clifford (The Time Tamer) is a co-founder of The Hinwood Institute. She is the lead trainer and coach in Time Management. She is a recognized leader in Stress Management. An experienced coach, speaker, columnist and facilitator, Barbara’s work with The Hinwood Institute assists people to unclutter mess, make order from chaos, and swap the shackles of overwhelming for freedom. Barbara’s clients move from the relentless hamster wheel to waking inspired, motivated, making decisions with purpose and achieving peak performance. She lives in the desert of Alice Springs, Australia working with people around the country.

Her professional experience has included contracts with small business, Not For Profits, Aboriginal Organisations, Media, Marketing, Aged Care, Universities, Health Services and Cruise Ships

Barbara Clifford (The Time Tamer) is a co-founder of The Hinwood Institute. She is the lead trainer and coach in Time Management. She is a recognized leader in Stress Management. An experienced coach, speaker, columnist and facilitator, Barbara’s work with The Hinwood Institute assists people to unclutter mess, make order from chaos, and swap the shackles of overwhelming for freedom. Barbara’s clients move from the relentless hamster wheel to waking inspired, motivated, making decisions with purpose and achieving peak performance. She lives in the desert of Alice Springs, Australia working with people around the country.

Her professional experience has included contracts with small business, Not For Profits, Aboriginal Organisations, Media, Marketing, Aged Care, Universities, Health Services and Cruise Ships

Barbara Clifford (The Time Tamer) is a co-founder of The Hinwood Institute. She is the lead trainer and coach in Time Management. She is a recognized leader in Stress Management. An experienced coach, speaker, columnist and facilitator, Barbara’s work with The Hinwood Institute assists people to unclutter mess, make order from chaos, and swap the shackles of overwhelming for freedom. Barbara’s clients move from the relentless hamster wheel to waking inspired, motivated, making decisions with purpose and achieving peak performance. She lives in the desert of Alice Springs, Australia working with people around the country.

Her professional experience has included contracts with small business, Not For Profits, Aboriginal Organisations, Media, Marketing, Aged Care, Universities, Health Services and Cruise Ships