A while back, I had an intriguing conversation with a seasoned entrepreneur. We were discussing how we both strive to minimize the obstacles that hinder our decision-making process.
It’s a given that every decision you make when you’re running a business can influence the next series of actions.
I never realized until now that we’re constantly making decisions, no matter how big or small. Every single day, from what to eat for breakfast to strategic choices that could shape our careers or businesses.
Decision-making is an intense mental activity. When I reflected on that, I discovered that some of my most regrettable decisions were made when I was exhausted, upset, or simply burned out from a long day sitting in front of a screen.
But what if your brain isn’t built to sustain that intensity all day?
Decision fatigue is a psychological phenomenon that can dramatically impact your productivity, focus, and overall well-being.
What is Decision Fatigue?
Decision fatigue refers to the deteriorating quality of decisions made by an individual after a long session of decision-making. It’s like mental exhaustion caused by the continuous need to evaluate choices and consequences.
As your brain tires from decision overload, your ability to make good decisions declines.
Does this sound familiar? I’m certain many of us have experienced this phenomenon.
Our brain can only use a limited amount of willpower and mental energy each day. Each decision, no matter how tiny, uses up a portion of this resource. Imagine your willpower as a muscle: the more you use it without rest, the weaker it becomes temporarily.
Some signs of decision fatigue include:
- Making impulsive choices (opting for the easiest or default option)
- Avoiding making decisions altogether (procrastination)
- Increased irritability and stress.
- Poor problem-solving ability
- Reduced attention span (even though I think we’re heading to a new normal because of social media)
Protecting Your Best Thinking Hours
Everyone experiences peak mental clarity and energy levels at different times of the day. For some, it’s late at night, while for me, it’s the early mornings between 5 AM and 11 AM. This is also when I perform my most critical tasks.
Regardless of what the best time is for you, you want to protect these hours. That way, you can avoid unnecessary decisions and focus on tackling complex problems, strategic planning, creative work, or important life choices when your brain is at its sharpest.
Decision fatigue can impact your life and work:
- Reduced productivity: When your decision-making isn’t optimal, you might spend more time dithering over choices or make suboptimal decisions that lead to rework
- Increased stress: Constant decision-making without breaks can cause stress and anxiety
- Lack of creativity: Reduces your creative thinking, making it harder to innovate or solve problems.
- Health and life: It could lead to poor eating habits, impulse shopping, or neglecting exercise because of decreased self-control.
The more experienced I got, the more I started to refine my approach. The most important things I learned were:
- Knowing how to prioritize my important tasks early in the day
- Less noise, and reducing low-impact decisions in life and work
- Limiting my choices on purpose
- Take plenty of breaks
- Delegate or outsource minor tasks
- Having a polished system and a strict routine
Prioritizing decisions early
In my earlier days, I was all about noise and chaos, and I couldn’t admit to myself that it wasn’t optimal. My decision-making process was anything but streamlined.
My decision-making process was anything but efficient. It took me a few failures to realize that prioritizing my most important decisions of the day should be done when my mind is clear and focused.
The faster I changed to this strategy, the easier I could handle complex problems. It’s one of the reasons why I avoid unplanned meetings or back-to-back meetings that might catch me off guard.
Reducing low-impact decisions
This one became a true lifesaver for me. And most of those low-impact decisions weren’t even business-related. It was more about streamlining and automating routine decisions that removed frictions.
A few examples that made my life easier:
- Simple outfits and clothes. Buying the same items from the same brands
- Default options when buying groceries (e.g., same vegetables or brands)
Limiting my choices on purpose
Ever had a scenario where a friend or your spouse asks you where to go for dinner, providing no options, and you can’t decide?
Having no clear options or too many options can be draining. Instead, using the choice architecture limits your choices on purpose.
The choice architecture is a principle I learned from someone else.
- Forcing yourself to narrow your options to 2-3 when possible
- Using a checklist of criteria when making decisions
- Have clear criteria for a fast elimination of irrelevant choices
Taking plenty of breaks
I usually don’t work longer than 45 minutes per session. I found 45 minutes optimal when doing deep work. After that, I take small, short mental breaks to refresh my focus and willpower to continue.
Often, I just take a small walk around the house, stretch a little bit or just meditate to reduce cognitive load.
The biggest improvement (personally), was preventing eyestrain and headaches. Being glued behind a Mac or iPad all day with a retina display isn’t optimal. Those short breaks made my eyestrain and headaches disappear.
Delegating & outsourcing small tasks
Early-stage startup founders or solo entrepreneurs often wear every hat possible. And you can’t ignore the smaller tasks and decisions, because they keep piling up.
If you’re in a position (financially), then:
- Delegate administrative tasks
- Use assistants or automation tools for routine choices
- Collaborate with trusted colleagues or co-founders for important decisions
Having a polished system and a strict routine
Chaos and noise are enjoyable when you’re in your early twenties, exploring your options. But at some point, it becomes counterproductive, and it’s your worst enemy if you plan to build a business.
Having a few predictable routines can minimize your daily decision-making:
- Create a strict morning and evening routine
- Project management systems to standardize workflows
- A decision-making process template for repeat scenarios
Close
Decision fatigue is real. It doesn’t matter if you’re getting up every day to go to work or you’re running a million-dollar business at home. But if you want to extract the maximum value out of your day, recognize when your best thinking hours are.
It’s an efficient way to shield you from unnecessary choices, and you can preserve your brainpower for what truly matters.
If this concept is unfamiliar to you, I recommend starting small. Experiment by minimizing trivial decisions. Over time, you’ll notice an improvement in your focus, and you’ll likely be able to make better choices because you’ll experience less mental fatigue.
