Limit Your Options and Get More Done

BONUS FREEBIE: Want even more ways to stay organized, productive and less stressed? CLICK HERE to get access to my List-Making Starter Kit. It will boost your efficiency and get you back to doing more of the things you love.

We often think that the more choices we have the better. That’s the whole idea behind bigger supermarkets and larger malls — more choices. But is that really what’s best for us?

For example, if you’re a bridesmaid picking your dress, it can be a fairly daunting task, especially if the bride has told you to wear whatever you like. You know very well that she’d be unhappy if you really did wear whatever you like, so you second guess every option. But if the bride narrows it down to a specific color and designer, the choice suddenly becomes much easier.

This concept is called decision fatigue. The central premise being that the more decisions we make, the less likely we are to make good decisions. Once you accept that fewer choices are better, you can start being more productive and improve your judgment.

So how can you limit the number of decisions you make in a day? Here are some ideas.

1. Have a daily schedule.

Waking up at the same time everyday, eating the same thing for breakfast and then going to the gym right after work may sound boring and monotonous. But if you do the same activities enough your body will start to do them automatically. You’ll never forget to go to the gym again! Plus, when your body’s running on autopilot, your mind is free to wonder about more important things.

2. Buy the same outfit in a handful of different colors.

Former President Obama has only two different types of suits. Steve Jobs was famous for always wearing jeans and a black turtleneck. Mark Zuckerberg stocks up on the same hoodie. What do all these people have in common? They all make important decisions on a daily basis and so can’t waste any energy on trivial problems like what to wear.?

You can automate your look by creating a capsule wardrobe of pieces that all work together. That might mean multiples of the same pants or top in different shades that go with your other clothes. I was inspired by this article about a woman who wears the same outfit every single day! She looks so chic and she doesn’t waste any time trying on different combinations in the morning.?

3. Establish a meal plan.

When you get home from work, you’re probably tired and hungry. The last thing you want to do is spend time deciding what to eat. Also studies into decision fatigue show you are more likely to eat unhealthy food in this state. Avoid this by planning your meals a few days in advance or even cooking in bulk and eating the leftovers.

4. Automate micro-decisions.

Many websites have a subscription service which allows you to ship frequently purchased items automatically. For cleaning products, for instance, Grove Collaborative and Blueland both let you set up recurring purchases so you never run out of soap or cleaning spray. Or if you use Amazon to order essentials, you can set it up through their platform.?

Another way to automate your workflow is by using a virtual assistant. There are lots of companies that connect you with virtual assistants, including Fancy Hands. If the help you need is more hands-on, you can use TaskRabbit to find someone who can help you move heavy furniture, assemble a bookshelf, deliver a package for you, or lots of other small tasks that would take you away from your to-dos.?

5. Set time limits on your choices.

If you have a lot of decisions to make throughout the day, set yourself a limit for how long you can spend deliberating on each one so the choice doesn’t take over your day.?

What ways could you limit your decisions for more productivity?

BONUS FREEBIE: Want even more ways to stay organized, productive and less stressed? CLICK HERE to get access to my List-Making Starter Kit. It will boost your efficiency and get you back to doing more of the things you love.