Decision Fatigue: What It Is and How to Avoid It

Have you ever felt exhausted after making a series of decisions? Do you find yourself struggling to make choices by the end of the day? If so, you may be experiencing decision fatigue.

Decision fatigue is a phenomenon that occurs when our brain becomes taxed from making too many decisions. It can be caused by anything from making simple choices, such as what to wear or what to eat, to more complex decisions like whether or not to take on a new project. The more decisions you make, the harder it becomes to make good choices.

To avoid decision fatigue, it's important to reduce the number of decisions you need to make throughout the day. One way to do this is by establishing routines and habits that eliminate the need for choice. Another strategy is to prioritise decisions and tackle them at times when glucose levels are higher, such as in the morning after breakfast. By being mindful of decision fatigue and taking steps to prevent it, we can improve our overall productivity and well-being.

What Causes Decision Fatigue?

The human brain has a limited capacity for making decisions. Every time you make a choice, you use up some of your mental energy. As you make more and more decisions, your brain becomes fatigued, and your ability to make good choices decreases.

Another factor that can contribute to decision fatigue is the type of decisions you are making. Complex and difficult decisions require more mental energy and can quickly lead to decision fatigue. For example, a CEO who has to make a high-stakes decision about a potential merger may experience decision fatigue more quickly than someone who is simply deciding what to eat for lunch. To prevent decision fatigue, it's important to take breaks from complex decisions and focus on simpler tasks in between.

When you make decisions, your brains use up glucose, which is a type of sugar that provides energy. As you continue to make choices, your glucose levels decrease, and your ability to make effective decisions decreases as well. This is because the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for rational decision-making, becomes exhausted and less efficient. In other words, when you experience decision fatigue, your brains are literally running low on fuel.

To combat decision fatigue, it's important to be mindful of your glucose levels and make sure they stay high throughout the day. Eating breakfast in the morning can help, as can taking regular breaks and snacking on healthy snacks like nuts and fruits. Drinking plenty of water is also important, as dehydration can cause fatigue and impair decision-making. Additionally, it's important to get enough sleep at night so that your body and brain are well-rested and ready to tackle tough decisions the next day.

There are several factors that can contribute to decision fatigue. For example, having too many options to choose from can be overwhelming. Making decisions under time pressure can also increase decision fatigue. Additionally, making decisions that conflict with your values or goals can be mentally draining.

Finally, it's important to be aware of your own biases and how they can affect your decision-making. Your biases can lead you to make decisions that are based on emotion rather than logic. To avoid this, it's important to take a step back and look at the facts objectively before making a decision. Additionally, it can be helpful to talk through decisions with another person or consult an expert for advice. Taking the time to make well-informed decisions can help reduce decision fatigue and improve our overall quality of life.

Techniques to Avoid Decision Fatigue

Now that you know what decision fatigue is and what causes it, let's explore some techniques you can use to avoid it.

1. Simplify Your Choices

One way to reduce decision fatigue is to simplify your choices. For example, you could create a daily routine that eliminates the need to make certain decisions. You could also limit your options when making choices, such as by only considering three options instead of ten.

2. Take Breaks

Taking breaks throughout the day can help prevent decision fatigue. Even a short break can help refresh your mind and restore your mental energy. Try taking a walk or doing a quick meditation to recharge your brain.

3. Prioritise Your Decisions

Another way to avoid decision fatigue is to prioritise your decisions. Focus on the most important decisions first, and leave less critical decisions for later in the day when your mental energy is lower.

4. Delegate Decision-Making

If possible, delegate decision-making to others. This can help reduce the number of decisions you need to make and free up your mental energy for more important choices.

Techniques Used by Famous People to Avoid Decision Fatigue

Many successful people have developed techniques to avoid decision fatigue. For example, Warren Buffett has famously said that he only considers investments with a high probability of success, reducing the number of decisions he needs to make. Bill Gates has been known to limit his wardrobe choices to just a few pieces of clothing, once again eliminating the need to make decisions about what to wear. Oprah Winfrey is another example of someone who has adopted techniques to avoid decision fatigue; she reportedly limits her menu choices so she doesn't have to make decisions about what to eat. Finally, Mark Cuban famously takes a break from making decisions after lunch each day, allowing his mind to rest and recharge.

Here are a few more examples:

1. Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs famously wore the same outfit every day to eliminate the need to make decisions about what to wear. By simplifying this choice, he was able to focus on more important decisions.

2. Barack Obama

Former President Barack Obama limited his wardrobe to only grey or blue suits. This allowed him to reduce decision fatigue and focus on more important decisions.

3. Mark Zuckerberg

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been known to wear the same grey t-shirt every day. By eliminating the need to make a decision about what to wear, he can focus on more important decisions at work.

4. Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein was known for wearing the same grey suit every day. By eliminating the need to make a decision about what to wear, he could focus on his scientific work.

5. Anna Wintour

Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour has a signature look that includes sunglasses and a bob haircut. By simplifying her appearance, she can focus on the decisions that matter most at work.

6. Elon Musk

Tesla CEO Elon Musk is known for working long hours and having a busy schedule. To avoid decision fatigue, he breaks his day up into five-minute intervals and plans out his entire day in advance.

7. Mark Cuban

Entrepreneur and Shark Tank investor Mark Cuban limits his email responses to one sentence or less. This allows him to quickly respond to messages without spending too much time on each one.

8. Serena Williams

Tennis star Serena Williams wears the same type of socks at every match. By eliminating the need to make a decision about what socks to wear, she can focus on her performance on the court.

These examples show that there are many ways to avoid decision fatigue, from simplifying your wardrobe choices to planning out your schedule in advance. By finding techniques that work for you, you can conserve mental energy and make better decisions throughout the day.