Even seemingly innocent, little decisions can eventually wear us down. Every day, we must decide what to eat, what to dress, what to work on, and how to spend our free time. The average person makes 35,000 decisions by the time they go to bed. Every choice demands time and effort and saps our willpower.
This is referred to as decision fatigue, which is different from physical depletion. You’re not only physically exhausted but mentally as well. Your brain finds each decision more challenging as the day progresses and finally starts looking for shortcuts. Because of this, you might make hasty decisions and act without thoroughly considering your options. Alternately, you might remain inactive, leading to more severe issues.
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Fortunately, there are multiple ways to control this from happening. Learn how to use these nine straightforward actions to increase productivity during a day filled with plenty of decisions, recharge your willpower, and overcome decision fatigue.
1. Simplify The Decisions You Need To Make During The Day
President Barack Obama was in the oval office for eight years and only wore blue or grey suits. Steve Jobs was well-known for dressing in a turtleneck and blue jeans.
Their small wardrobe was based on straightforward reasoning: why start the day by picking what to wear when so many other crucial choices are to be made?
Obama and Jobs decided to streamline some of their routine daily decisions, much like a soldier’s uniform.
Others might interpret this as working from the exact location each day, adhering to a rigid schedule, or maintaining a regular weekly eating schedule. You may make more of the decisions that will benefit you by minimizing the number of decisions you make each day.
2. Appoint decision-makers
Just like with tasks, decisions can be delegated. You can lessen the number of decisions on your plate by delegating decision-making authority to others. Think about your obligations at work, home, and elsewhere. Are there any responsibilities you can assign to another person? This calls on you to cease micromanaging those close to you and to have faith in their ability to carry out their responsibilities.
Managers can delegate some decisions to staff members. Specific tasks can be assigned to kids by their parents. There are occasions when we can assign tasks to our loved ones. Asking a friend to put up a playlist for a party or asking the person you’re meeting up with to choose the restaurant for dinner are two examples of how to do this simply. Delegating well can empower others and convey your trust in them.
3. Establish a procedure for decision-making
Use the determination matrix to help you decide what to do when you have to make a tough or significant decision when there are multiple options to consider. A decision matrix provides a list of the options and considerations you must evaluate, followed by a score reflecting the relative weight of each component to help you analyze your alternatives. A decision matrix can be quite helpful if you understand how it works, even though it may seem confusing.
When presented with several options and innumerable variables, a decision matrix helps reduce confusion and arousal. A choice matrix, as opposed to a detailed list of benefits and drawbacks, enables you to prioritize each element.
4. Specify a few alternatives
Too many options will make you anxious. You get bogged down in making decisions and start doubting your judgment. This typically happens while shopping, as many choices and possibilities, are offered. Our drive to “search around” and find the best offer makes us more prone to decision fatigue. The brain becomes overloaded by everything and is drained of energy.
Try reducing your alternatives so that you just have a few options. The value of investing a lot of time in researching many options is minimal. Although you might be able to save a little money, you’ll experience worry and overwhelm instead. Don’t spend too much time weighing the advantages and disadvantages; choose two or three to compare. Make a choice and follow through on it.
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Takeaway
Set up everyday habits that limit and streamline your options. You can make confident decisions automatically if you have solid traditions and a set schedule. Decide on a wake-up time and keep to it. Have a plan that specifies the days and times you exercise rather than discussing whether or not you should.
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